Pocket monsters: the sonic adventures

by duel king sonic

The story follows (not-game versions of) Sonic and his crew across the nine regions, interacting with Ash Ketchum and his friends along the way, with Ash and Sonic developing an intense and complicated rivalry during the former's journey to becoming a pokemon master, all the while getting into both exciting and dark adventures against enemies more vile and cruel than ever before.

114. special chapter 6

Special chapter; Jirachi-wish maker

The heat of the sun continued to torment Sonic as he and Raichu walked through the valley.

"Rai…"

"Here buddy" Sonic offered it some water despite the immense thirst.

Choosing to head for Fallarbor town was a huge mistake.

After deciding Shadow was worth the time, the duo had crossed the fiery path, a cave of extreme heat and home to many fire and ground type pokemon, including but not limited to numels, digletts, slugmas and even a new Hoennian species that Sonic's pokedex identified as Torkoal.

Although tempted to catch a Torkoal which in his eyes looked cooler than it had any right to be, Sonic decided against it, not wanting more than one of each type.

After exiting the fiery path, he had spent 2 days traversing the wilderness only to discover he had reached the other side of the dessert part of route 111. Raichu was grumpy about it, as they could have just walked back down to the route and go through the dessert in a straight line.

That was another 2 days ago and the valley was just endless. The map showed Fallarbor town was at the end of the valley but Sonic forgot to take into account the map's scale, making him think it would be a day's walk at worst.

And yet there they were, thirsty, supplies running out and no civilization ahead. And also turning back was no longer an option.

And all that while, Sonic was alone. Noone had contacted him.

After Tails realized the choice his friend had made, he had convinced the others to not talk to Sonic, in a desperate attempt to show him revenge was wrong.

Although it hurt him, the lack of communication strengthened Sonic's resolve. He couldn't grasp why his friends were ok with Shadow walking off. Especially after he had bullied the them too.

During his stay in Green Hills, Shadow had once trashed Tails' workshop when the latter had asked Amy to talk to try and understand why she acted the way she did. It took Tails a month to replace all the damaged tools, furniture and equipment.

And Shadow didn't stop there. Knuckles had tried standing up for Sonic once and the two had gotten into a wild fight. The fight appeared to be in Knuckles' favor at first but Shadow utilized insane and deadly maneuvers, easily defeating the echidna and making the ultimate mistake that destroyed any hope of the crew and Amy ever making amends.

"And here I thought not having parents could toughen someone. Guess even I can make mistakes" were Shadow's exact words.

Of course back then no one knew why Knuckles lived alone but the insult cut deep all the same.

"He did all of that and still Tails is insisting I let him go. I did once, after the Kanto league. I'm not oblidged to do it again" Sonic thought decisively again, renewing his resolve to keep going.

As he and Raichu walked by a treeline which neighbored with the feet of Mt Chimney, Sonic noticed something coming out of the forest.

"Train tracks!" he exclaimed "they must be leading towards Fallarbor. All we have to do is follow them. Come on Raichu!"

"Rai!"

"Poke treats here I come!" Sonic heard in his head, chucking.

The two started sprinting along the trucks, deciding to take a chance and use quick attack and sonic speed at the same time, ignoring the risk that someone would spot them and word would reach Shadow's ear before they could find him.

Around 20 minutes of racing by the trucks they started hearing sounds of civilization.

"Almost there Raichu!"

The two sprinted past the turn and were met with…

"What the… a Ferris wheel?!"

Indeed, a Ferris wheel, alongside a roller coaster and several other apparent attractions were all standing next to the train tracks. A red train was stationed nearby and tens of people were disembarking.

"This is Fallarbor town? Wally didn't mention it was a big amusement park" Sonic tilted his head.

The duo of trainer and pokemon, forgetting their thirst and hunger, walked towards the park.

The place was crawling top to bottom with people of all ages. Everywhere Sonic looked, it was an all-out celebration.

"This doesn't look like a town. Did I mess up reading the map? Twice?"

In the end he stopped at a gift shop.

"Excuse me sir. Probably a silly question but is this Fallarbor town?"

The shop owner burst out laughing.

"Oh heavens no kid! Fallarbor town is way further west of here".

"Dammit!" Sonic cursed frustrated "this really was a stupid idea".

The shop owner looked at Sonic in question.

"Sorry I just really need to get there. I'm exhausted and starving".

"You look like it. Where did you come from?"

"I travelled from the cable car station on the other side of the volcano, through the fiery path and then to here. On foot. With supplies meant to last a couple of days".

The shop owner was beyond shocked.

"Sonny you must really want to get there if you're willing to ignore the millennium festival".

"The what?"

"The Millenium Festival. To celebrate the passing of the millennium comet".

Nothing clicked for Sonic.

"A little elaboration wouldn't hurt. I come from far away".

The shop owner, whose name Sonic read on the name tag on his shirt, Bogie, eagerly began explaining.

"Every 1000 years, a comet travelling through the universe, passes the earth, always mysteriously visible only from Hoenn. Or at least mysteriously for the other regions".

"Why do you say that?" Sonic tilted his head.

"You see, there is a legend in Hoenn. A pokemon is believed to live here. A pokemon by the name of Jirachi".

"Jirachi? What kind of name is that?"

"As I was saying" Bogie stopped Sonic, somewhat annoyed at the slight mockery of Jirachi's name "Jirachi awakens when the comet arrives, every one thousand years, to absorb its power before going back to sleep until the comet's next arrival, continuing the cycle".

"And where is Jirachi then?"

"Nobody knows".

Sonic thought he had misheard.

"So let me get this straight. All this fuss for a pokemon you've never seen? And what's so special about this Jirachi anyway?"

"Jirachi is said to be able to grant wishes".

"Grant wishes? You can't be serious. It's not the first time I've heard of this and not the first time I've seen it either but… gah you know what? Forget it. Thanks for the information that I'm not where I need to be anyway".

"Wait! Before you go could I interest you in anything from the shop?"

Sonic didn't feel like shopping but Bogie had been kind enough to tell him he was a long distance for Fallarbor. And had shared the legend of Jirachi.

"Even though I didn't ask. Well, not directly anyway" he thought as he had given his permission for elaboration.

"Ok um… give me one of these" he said pointing to a small pendant-like trinket with 7 protruding triangles all pointing outwards.

"Oh a good choice. Don't forget to make a wish".

"Excuse me?"

"You picked a wishing star. Close one of the 7 pieces every night in front of the comet and Jirachi will grant you any wish. But be careful. Do it in the right order".

Sonic paid and thanked Bogie before leaving, looking at the wishing star.

"Grants a wish? Yeah right. Jirachi's probably not even real" Sonic shrugged off the idea.

A small part of him was tempted to call Knuckles and ask him if he knew of Jirachi but decided against it. If Knuckles and the others wanted to give him the cold shoulder they were free to do so.

As Sonic and Raichu grabbed a snack and a LOT of water, they sat down at a bench, casually eating and observing the festival, wondering how they would proceed about things.

"We need to restock on supplies before leaving for Fallarbor town. Only thing is, there's only junk food and sweets here".

"Rai rai".

"I could do with it. We don't get a lot of it anyway".

"Well… maybe you're right. Just a little more. We'll restock normally in Fallarbor and then go look for that bastard… Shadow!" he exclaimed almost jumping up.

There he was. Shadow the hedgehog. In the millennium festival.

The black hedgehog hadn't noticed them as he proceeded towards an alleyway.

Looking over his shoulder to make sure no one was eavesdropping, he called Maxie.

"I'm in position sir. What is my mission?"

"You sound eager. Glad to be out of the hideout?"

"Yes I am sir" Shadow said sounding serious.

"Excellent. I want you to find an old acquaintance of team Magma called Butler. He has blueprints for a device he once used in a demonstration for us. I want you to get those blueprints and destroy the machine. Leave no trace of its existence. Nothing that can lead back to team Magma in any way".

"Shall I… silence him per say sir?"

"No need. He is a smart idiot but an idiot nonetheless. Plus we can't afford any amount of heat on the team now. You have your mission so see it through".

"Understood" Shadow hung up and headed for Butler's circus tent where "The Great Butler's magic show" was taking place in that very moment.

As the enforcer headed for the tent, more specifically the backstage entrance, he failed to notice he was being tailed by Sonic.

A very angry Sonic, with his recent emotion connection with Raichu making the situation worse.

As Shadow walked amongst the props, he smirked. Butler was a fool to leave the entire place unguarded while doing his little show.

"Now where are those blueprints?" he wondered.

As he looked around, he heard extremely light steps, so light they were barely audible.

Just as he was about to turn his head to the left, he saw an elbow coming straight for his face.

Leaning backwards, jumping and doing a mid-air flip, he saw the blue elbow pass an inch away from his eyes, poking his nose.

Shadow landed and faced down Sonic.

"What is your loser ass doing here?"

"Giving you a piece of me!" Sonic sarcastically said as he rushed to punch Shadow.

Shadow effortlessly dodged but Sonic had seen this coming.

Quickly side stepping, he tripped Shadow, causing him to fall to the ground.

Shadow landed on his back roughly as he saw Sonic's fist heading for his face. He moved out of the way just in time, grabbing Sonic and with a few quick maneuvers putting him in a headlock.

"I'm not under orders to bring you in, but you chose to do my work for me. Predictable" Shadow said maliciously as he tried to choke Sonic into unconsciousness.

"You have… no idea… who you're dealing with! Iron tail!"

Shadow saw the iron tail coming just fast enough to let Sonic go, who rolled away as well.

The iron tail made a huge noise.

"What was that?" a woman's voice coming from the stage suddenly said.

Both Sonic and Shadow scrambled to hide.

Hiding behind a crate, Sonic saw a blonde woman wearing a red dress looking around suspiciously before turning back to the stage.

"Apologies my dear crowd. It was only a small accident with a prop".

Sonic sighed in relief before turning his attention back towards Shadow.

As he looked around, a strange childish voice reaches his ears.

"The star…"

"Huh?" Sonic looked around.

Who had said that?

And then he heard Shadow.

The latter had climbed up a support beam and was now juggling towards the stage, clearly intending to escape over the crowd before returning to find the blueprints, although Sonic didn't know that.

The blue hedgehog snarled and harnessed his bond with Raichu as he recalled it with a quick thank you.

He dropped on his knees for a moment and then went for a homing attack on Shadow.

Shadow again barely dodged but still did, making Sonic wonder where he got reflexes like this.

As the two hedgehogs were now standing on the railing over the stage where Butler was performing an exploding box magic trick, Sonic charged Shadow.

The two hedgehogs interlocked, aggressively holding hands and shoving each other.

"You won't get away this time!"

"Please! You're too weak to beat me!"

"Am I?" Sonic mocked him as blue lightning crackled on his body.

Shadow was unnerved and started losing his focus.

At that moment, the explosive box trick went off, with a dusclops firing hyper beam on the box. The impact of the explosion made both hedgehogs lose their balance and fall off.

"Not only did they escape from the box just in time, but they made bouquets of flowers appear as well! Let's thanks those amazing magicians! Ash, Pikachu and Max the great!" Butler exclaimed at the successful magic trick as Ash and Max took in the cheers.

That was until the two hedgehogs landed at the center of the stage very roughly, Shadow in particular falling on Diane.

"Oh no! Diane is hurt! Don't worry sweet princess! I'm coming!" Brock seized his opportunity, shoving May out of the way and rushing on the stage.

"Diane dear are you ok?" Butler rushed to her side before locking eyes with Shadow.

A silent gasp left Butler's lips.

Even though he had been kicked out of team Magma's HQ he had kept tabs on them.

So there was no way he wouldn't hear of…

"The fist of team Magma. Shadow the hedgehog" he thought as he fought to remain calm.

"Ouch… that hurt" Sonic complained as he rubbed the back of his head while sitting up.

It then dawned on him where he was.

"Oh shit" he whispered as he looked sideways to the crowd.

And of course he noticed the shocked Ash.

"Why do we always have to run into each other like this?" Sonic wondered silently before Butler tried to save the show.

"Well my friends it looks like we got more volunteers! And it appears one of them is the legendary hero of Kanto! And you are…" he turned to Shadow, nudging at him to play along.

"I'm Shadow the hedgehog. And I have a magic trick for everyone present. I'm going to have my Salamence make this hero disappear!"

He called out his Salamence.

"Flamethrower!"

The flamethrower landed.

When the flames settled, Sonic had disappeared.

"He's gone!" Max exclaimed.

"What happened to him?!" Ash wondered as May rushed close to the stage with them.

"I'm right here!"

Sonic was standing on the other side of the stage now, having moved incredibly fast to dodge the flamethrower.

"And I have a magic trick of my own! I will run circles around this Salamence!"

He dropped on his knees, channeling his speed. Blue lightning once again crackled on his body.

"Gotta go fast!" he spoke loudly enough to be heard before speeding off.

Reaching Salamence, Sonic quite literally started running circles around it, causing it to get incredibly dizzy.

"Woah! How is he doing that?!" a kid from the crowd exclaimed in excitement.

Ash and his crew observed in shock and a bit of awe. They had never seen Sonic run this fast, this being May and Max's first time witnessing the hedgehog's incredible speed.

Shadow on the other hand, immediately started secretly recording Sonic. This time Maxie would have to take him seriously.

Sonic in the meantime had been acting on instinct alone but now didn't know what to do anymore. How could he even stop moving when he had gotten himself into an infinite cycle of speed?

Energy had gathered inside his body. Extreme amounts of kinetic energy. And his already poor mental state from the darkness of the previous days was making him lose grip on it.

"I can't hold on!" he thought but before he could rush out to let the energy it out, it overflowed.

"Gaaah!" he let out a scream as the energy exploded outwards, miraculously harming no one as it passed through then and into the environment around them.

With the exception of a small rock sealed into a glass case in Butler's inventory. A rock containing DNA from a super-ancient pokemon.

After the explosion of energy, the crowd along with Ash and co opened their eyes and saw Sonic on one knee, breathing heavily, Salamence having fainted from dizziness.

The crowd exploded in cheers, not realizing this was not a trick.

Sonic on the other hand, was processing the feeling of his body having grown weaker after the explosion of energy.

"So I was right the other day. Somehow using my speed is taking a toll on me. But how was our bond misused just now? I didn't hurt Salamence, did I?" he whispered.

Butler's hand grabbed his shoulder.

"Amazing! Splendid! Incomprehensible! A truly beautifully executed trick. But tell me, how did you do it?"

"What?" Sonic managed to say before being approached by Ash and the others.

"Sonic that was awesome!" Max exclaimed.

"I thought turning into a ball was cool but your speed is something else!" May was just as excited.

Ash and Brock, although more open than usual, were still reserved. Or more accurately Ash was. Brock was pretty much all over Diane, making sure she was ok.

"What are you doing here?" Ash tried to sound normal, although he was still very reserved after seeing Sonic go berserk on Wattson.

"I came here to find this…" he turned to point at Shadow, but he and his Salamence were gone.

"Dammit! He escaped again!"

"Who did?"

At that moment, Pikachu was grabbed from Ash's back and closed into a transparent sphere cage.

"Ahahaha! Prepare for trouble!"

"Make it double!"

"To protect…!"

"This is ridiculous! You three idiots again?!" Sonic shut them down.

"Wow how rude! Cutting our motto short! And just as we were about to perform a trick of our own" Jessie complained from the hot air balloon.

"That's right twerps. We'll make all the pokemon disappear!" James elaborated as a net grabbed Butler's mightyena and kirlia.

"Let them go you creeps!" Ash went to send out a pokemon only to be stopped by Butler.

"Have no worries my friend. A good magician always has more tricks up their sleeve. Dusclops! Will-o-wisp!"

Will-o-wisp was fired, releasing Pikachu.

"Hey no fair! Give it back!" Meowth protested.

"Pikachu thunderbolt!"

"Pika… chuuuu!"

Thunderbolt fried the three idiots well and released kirlia and mightyena.

"An excellent move. Now let me finish this" Butler went for the finale.

"No!" Sonic protested "they're mine!" he said getting on his knees.

Preparing a homing attack, he made everyone step back, Butler more than anyone.

And then he launched.

As he was about to hit the basket of the balloon, Sonic momentarily broke the ball form and stared team rocket straight in the eye, causing Meowth's soul to leave its body.

"Good riddance!" he said although they probably didn't hear him as for them it was the fraction of a second.

Turning back into a ball, he smacked the basket so roughly, that the ropes tying it to the hot air balloon were cut off and it the basket was sent flying.

"We're blastiiing…" was all everyone managed to hear as team rocket flew out of hearing radius before speaking the rest of their outro as Ash called it.

Sonic landed back on the stage on his knees, blue lightning still crackling on his body from the attack, unnerving Butler who started realizing these were no tricks.

"Even my homing attack" Sonic muttered "what's happening to me? Are all my abilities corrosive now?"

He was pretty sure he had not misused his abilities this time. Both the three clowns and Shadow had it coming. And yet he still felt drained.

"You ok?" May asked him.

"Yeah. Just a little drained. I will go get another snack to get more strength. Sorry I crashed your performance sir" Sonic apologized and left before anyone else could question him on anything.

He needed to be alone.

As he walked to the edge of the carnival, he headed for the outskirts of the park, next to the train tracks.

It all had happened so fast.

Shadow was really here. So far away from Socexp's headquarters.

"Mr Stone's Intel was correct. He really must be going to Fallarbor town. But then… what is he doing here? What does he want with this Butler guy?"

Whoever this magician was, he had something Shadow or team Magma wanted. Question was what? And more importantly why?

"Maybe I should stay near that place for the day. If Shadow is here instead of Fallarbor, he will definitely attempt to steal something from Butler. I will get him when…"

"Hey!"

Sonic looked up and saw Ash and his friends.

"Can't I ever get some alone time when you're in the neighborhood?"

"Who was that guy who crashed the performance with you?"

Sonic hesitated. He didn't want to drag Ash into his business.

"His name is Shadow".

"And who is he exactly?" Brock asked.

"It's a personal business" Sonic tersely answered.

"What are you doing here?" Max questioned Sonic.

"I heard some rumors team Magma was gathering in Fallarbor town so I was heading there. Happened upon the festival and soon after upon that… that…"

"And where is that guy now?" Ash pushed for information.

"I don't know. But I'm sure he is not far. He wants something from this Butler, no other reason he would sneak backstage. I plan to catch him in the act".

"Then we'll stay and fight too" Ash was quick to volunteer.

"Appreciated but I got it covered. You go enjoy the festival".

"No way. If he wants to steal something from Butler I want to stop him".

Sonic sighed. Ash was too stubborn. Although Sonic still wondered why the pallet town trainer was ok with his presence after the incident at Wattson's gym.

"Alright. But I don't want you all to miss the festival for this. We can take turns keeping watch if you insist".

"Agreed. I'll take the first shift" Brock offered.

"I got this shift covered. You can take the next one".

"I need some alone time. My heart is shattered. Diane is in a relationship with Butler" Brock said dramatically.

May and Max rolled their eyes and Ash comforted his friend while giggling. Sonic felt cringing but relented.

"Alright. If you insist. Guess I'll go take a walk until my shift".

"Why don't you join us? We will go on the rides!" Max offered.

"Don't know if my presence…"

"You can come" Ash shrugged before Sonic could even finish his sentence, stunning the hedgehog.

"Did he bump his head or something? No other explanation as to why he is ok with me here".

"Alright. Where do we go first?"

The four youngsters headed back to the festival with Brock keeping watch on Butler's tent.

First they visited the bumper cars. Sonic agreed to ride in hopes of getting along with them enough to get Ash to talk out their differences.

The ride proved to be fun regardless of intention. Following that they got on the rollercoaster which ended up being mundane for Sonic as he had gotten used to the extreme speeds he could achieve so the train felt like a walk.

Next up was the game section. May ended up winning a torchic plush toy by having her real torchic use ember to knock down 3 pins. By the end it was clear she chose it because her torchic had a crush on the plushie.

While hanging out with them, Sonic noticed Max holding on to a weird boulder. It was weirdly shaped. Like a comet.

After a while, he couldn't resist asking.

"Why are you carrying that rock around?"

"It called out to me on the stage".

"I beg your pardon?"

"It is not a rock" Ash said "it's a pokemon".

"A pokemon?" Sonic repeated surprised as he examined it in Max's hands "doesn't look like a pokemon to me".

"It is a pokemon" Max insisted "its name is Jirachi".

"Jirachi?" Sonic looked at him in disbelief before shaking his head "who sold you this lie?"

"It's not a lie. It called out to me!" Max insisted again.

"He is right. He said that Jirachi said 'the star'" May confirmed.

Sonic gasped for a moment.

He had heard a childish voice say this exact word backstage.

It couldn't be… could it?

"I don't believe it. How can anyone really know? Jirachi's legend says it hasn't been seen in thousands of years. Therefore there's no substantial proof of its existence and therefore it's more of a myth".

"I'm telling you it's real! And it's going to come out tonight!"

"How can you know?"

"Butler said Jirachi emerges when the millennium comet is visible in the sky. And the comet arrives tonight" May explained.

Sonic took her words in then looked at the rock in Max's hands.

"No. It can't be real. There's no way it's real. If its power is real…"

"Alright. Then I would like to be there to see it emerge for myself if it's ok with all of you".

"Definitely! You'll see it and be sorry you doubted me" Max said with a hint of pride.

"Sure. We can all hang out near Butler's stage to keep an eye out for the guy you want to catch and observe the comet" Ash nodded.

Sonic nodded as well.

The rest of the day passed extremely slow with Sonic eventually taking over the stakeout from Brock and then Ash taking over from Sonic.

During Sonic's stakeout, May bought a wishing star from Bogie as well, showing it to Sonic when Ash went to take his turn observing. Sonic commented that it was beautiful but didn't reveal he also bought one.

But he wasn't sure why.

"Is it because I don't believe it works? Or because it might actually work?"

Nighttime came and the group gathered near Butler's stage.

May was sitting on a rock with Max at on the grass at the base of the rock still hugging what he perceived to be Jirachi. Brock was lamenting about his lost loves as always while observing the stars.

Sonic and Ash were near each other.

"Today sure was fun" Ash commented.

"Yeah" Sonic replied without enthusiasm.

"What's wrong?"

"How long are we not going to be addressing the Donphan in the room?"

"What do you mean? I see no Donphan anywhere".

"I mean how long are we going to pretend everything's ok? We both know that's not the case".

Ash took a while to reply.

"Ok. I want you to tell me something".

"What do you want to hear about? "

"The boss of team rocket".

"Excuse me?"

"I promised I would be a friend to May and not let our issues affect her journey. I also said I want to understand you. After your battle with Wattson I was livid. But when I calmed down and asked May how she felt about what happened, she explained to me what your reaction was like. And now I want to hear it from you. Why do you fear the boss of team rocket so much even though you have defeated him and sent him into exile? So much so that you went into a frenzy the moment the situation resembled that time?"

Sonic stared at Ash for a few seconds before looking away for a moment then back to the sky.

"I used to say to Tails and Knuckles in Johto that you are a good trainer but that you had never fought true opponents. I understood a while back that saying that was wrong".

"It was?"

"Your battles are for fun. To be the best. Your opponents always saw it the same way. Therefore opponents like Gary, Harrison and that time you mentioned you fought elite Four Lorelei… they were all true opponents for you. I too see this point of view. After all I did battle Agatha of the elite four when I was in Kanto".

"I know. You were even able to replicate her signature move during our battle in the Kanto league. That was a really good display".

Sonic smirked before continuing.

"Yeah. It was fun. But… it wasn't fun with Giovanni. When facing him, it wasn't about victory. It was about survival".

"Surely this isn't how it was. I mean he was evil but…"

"Ash, he had his rhydon kill my comrade's Jolteon. He didn't hesitate, he didn't think twice and he certainly doesn't know what mercy means. To him pokemon are nothing but a business. Numbers. The money he can make off of them. And if not that, then they are eliminated".

Ash didn't answer.

"You have a very pure heart and therefore cannot comprehend such an evil. Having faced those 3 idiots for so long, you see those who hurt pokemon only when they are capturing the pokemon or imagine what they will do when they escape with them. You haven't seen with your own eyes those promises of pain and suffering coming to the pokemon with your own eyes. You haven't seen…"

He went to say "you haven't seen how much Mewtwo was suffering" but managed to hold himself.

"You haven't seen what my friends and I saw during our war in Johto. What we came across in their hideout. We experienced their brutality first hand. I experienced Giovanni's evil first hand. He is a merciless, heartless, evil being. And I knew that to survive I would have to be as strong as it took. Me and my pokemon together".

He sighed.

"All the while I had to struggle with the mental repercussions of both my wars. I saw pokemon get hurt, suffering, dying… and the ones doing this to them not caring in the least. I guess… somewhere along the way, to rise above those monsters and save everyone, I lost myself".

He took out Raichu's pokeball without calling it out.

"And now my partner is suffering all this as well. You have seen us sharing our pain and know first hand we also share our thoughts. But during the battle with Wattson… another connection was made".

"Seriously?"

"Yes. Raichu's emotions got connected with my own. The connection is just like the others, a two way street. Raichu got infected by my dark emotions and went berserk on Wattson's pokemon. And when Pikachu got in the way, calling Raichu a monster… the shame was also transferred to me".

Ash was at a loss for words. It made sense now why Raichu would go this far against Wattson off its own accord.

"I think I do understand. But still… it is all over now. Giovanni is in exile. He is not coming back. Why all this anger?"

Sonic fought not to but the events of that cave brought a tear to his left eye. The eye Ash could see.

"There is something my friends didn't tell you when we were in Alto Mare".

"About that detective that died?"

"He didn't die. He was killed. Killed by a trap Giovanni set…"

"For Tails or Knuckles? I know you told us as such".

Sonic snorted with a bitter smile.

"That wasn't all there was to the story".

"What?!"

"He had a recording play after the trap was sprung. A recording of him gloating about how the trap was meant to kill whoever tried to look for clues of his location and wasn't me. He even claimed he wanted the victim of that trap to be Tails. He wanted to kill my best friend… so he could make me suffer".

Ash was at a loss for words. He did remember this from Alto Mare but to hear Giovanni had actually gloated over killing someone close to the blue hedgehog…

"I know that to you this sounds incomprehensible. But it's the truth. And it's further than that. Giovanni had another recording, one really meant for me. He… he said that he would return one day. He said…" Sonic struggled to reveal the final part, the malicious voice of his nemesis haunting his ears "he said I would watch my home burn to the ground and that everyone I love will suffer".

Sonic was now sounding truly broken.

"I promised detective Morrison's wife I would find and kill Giovanni for what he did. And for the whole week before going to Alto Mare I did look for him. Part of me wanted to make him pay for everything. But the biggest part of me… it was afraid. Afraid that if I didn't put an end to his evil, his threats would come true".

Sonic looked up in the sky.

"After returning from Alto Mare, I took my promise back. I couldn't live with myself any longer. Detective Morrison's wife however… she accused me of being just like Giovanni because I would not kill him".

Ash was now numb. It was getting too much.

"Adding what I did to you to the mix was the cherry on top. I spent a month away from everyone back home, trying to understand who I am. I became distant and so lost Jasmine. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her. And despite all that I still am not sure I have an answer for this. All I know for sure is my emotions are all over the place. And that makes my connection to Raichu dangerous. Especially now that our emotions are connected".

Ash for the first time in a long time felt a small ounce of sympathy for his rival. The anger was still there and still prevalent but he was finally beginning to understand what had led them all here.

"And what about this Shadow? Why are you so eager to catch him?"

"It's a long story. One before we met. So I don't know if it's relevant to our problem".

"Come on. We spent all day keeping an eye out for him. The least you can do is tell me".

Sonic sighed.

"Shadow is the enforcer".

"What?! You knew all along?!"

"Ever since I ran into him in Petalburg woods. You saw how much damage he did to the museum. He must be stopped. I came here to find him".

Ash nodded in understanding after a few moments.

"I will help with that. I got my own bone to pick with him. But you still haven't answered my question. Why are you pursuing him? And don't tell me because he is the enforcer. I want to hear the personal one".

Sonic was about to open up before the place was thrust in darkness.

The festival lights had all been turned off. The night sky was now becoming much more visible.

With the clouds slowly moving out of the way, a luminous line could be seen in the sky.

The Millenium comet was upon them.

"Woah" Sonic thought as he observed the beautiful astral body travelling over their planet.

The 4 trainers observed the comet in awe, each lost in their own thoughts.

Max wasn't partaking as he had fallen asleep still holding the rock.

And all of a sudden, the rock began glowing, illuminating the group.

"What the…?" Sonic turned to the glow in disbelief.

"Jirachi is glowing!" Ash exclaimed.

"Max!" May called out as she climbed off the rock to her now awake brother who had let go of the rock.

"The star… the star is calling…"

"That's…. The voice I heard!" Sonic thought shocked.

"You guys hear that?" Ash asked them.

"Is that Jirachi's voice?" May inquired.

"It's more than that" Brock surmised "it's telepathy!"

As the rock glowed, light waves travelling through the ground headed towards it, as if they were absorbed by it.

The rock suddenly floated out of Max's grasp and into the air.

The glow became even stronger and several wisps of light emerged from it as if the rock was unraveling from the inside.

The glow then died down and a tiny pokemon with a head shaped like a star, white body and two golden ribbons on its sides floated into Max's hands.

Jirachi slowly opened its bulging eyes and looked at the trainers with calm curiosity.

"Jirachi" Max whispered with a smile.

"So it's true" Ash looked at it, smiling as well.

"It's really kinda cute" May commented.

Ash and co were all smiling at the cute Pokemon in front of them.

Sonic on the other hand was beyond shocked.

"Jirachi… is real!" was all he could hear in his head.

"Hi Jirachi. I'm Max".

"Hello Max".

"I'm Ash and this is my partner Pikachu".

"Pika pika".

"I'm May".

"I'm Brock. Nice to meet you".

"Hello Ash. Pikachu. May. Brock".

Sonic went to also introduce himself.

"Hi Jirachi. I'm…"

"You're Sonic" Jirachi said before anyone could talk.

Sonic back stepped in more shock.

"H-how do you know?"

"I heard your partner say your name. Raichu".

"What is it talking about?" Ash asked Sonic.

"I… I have no idea. Raichu isn't even out of its ball right now".

The four trainers just stood there, trying to make sense of this news.

"Telepathy…" Sonic thought "but the only way it would have heard Raichu in its ball is if Raichu was a psychic type".

Diane then came out of nowhere and looked on at the awakened Jirachi.

"Diane it's Jirachi it woke up!" Max eagerly said.

"That's brilliant! I'll go tell Butler the good news! Meanwhile you guys can camp out in our van tonight" she said before rushing off again.

"Thanks" Brock said as she left.

"You coming?" Ash asked Sonic.

"Hu-what? I dozed off".

"You can join us in the van. I'm ok with it".

Sonic was surprised at this invitation.

"Sure. I'll just take a walk first. You know, get my mind back in peace after our walk down my memory lane".

Ash nodded and left with his friends as Sonic headed back to the festival.

The roof of Butler's tent opened revealing the comet above as he stood in the center of stage looking at it.

"It's true" Diane said as she arrived.

"I knew it! Jirachi will be the star of our greatest show!"

Trapdoors opened and machinery was lifted up to the stage via use of platforms. One of the devices extended towards the sky, creating a small antenna.

"I've waited forever for this day".

"And you shall keep waiting" a voice shut him down.

Butler and Diane turned and came face to face with the approaching Shadow.

"Well, well. The enforcer is back" Butler tried to lighten the mood.

His joke was met with Shadow dashing at him and grabbing him by the throat.

"Butler!" Diane tried to stop Shadow by throwing herself at him.

"Get off bitch!"Shadow shoved her off roughly with a strong elbow, not taking his eyes off Butler.

"I will not have you pathetic trickster and your little girlfriend reveal my identity. Give me the blueprints to your machine before I decide to use violence either way!"

Butler was surprisingly calm despite being choked. He managed to smile.

"Wait… let my throat go… so that I can tell you…"

Shadow loosened his grip but didn't let go.

"I can give you the blueprints if you want. But I can offer you so much more".

Shadow smirked.

"What could an amateur illusionist like you offer me?"

Butler also smirked.

"The power of a god".

The smirk on Shadow's face faded. His grip tightened.

"I don't have time for games Butler!"

"No games… Promise…"

Shadow's eyes narrowed as he considered how to proceed.

Outside the tent, Sonic was wandering about, aimlessly walking through the crowds enjoying the festival, trying to come to terms with reality.

"Jirachi is real. A pokemon powerful enough to grant wishes is real".

His mind then drifted to the trinket he had bought.

He took it out, staring at it.

"If Jirachi is real then…"

His face was slowly filled with hope.

"I can fix everything! I can put an end this feud with Ash! All I have to do is literally wish for it!" he thought excitedly.

Quickly positioning the star in front of the comet, he closed the first compartment, marked by a single star on the piece.

"Six more. And all my problems will finally disappear".

Putting the star away again, Sonic wondered what was the best way to go about this.

A wish. An actual wish.

As they had learnt from the Greenfield incident, one had to he careful what they wished for. Meaning that he would have to be extremely careful on what to wish and how to express it.

"More importantly, I need to make sure I don't tamper with the space-time continuum. That means… so many restrictions".

If he was meant to only affect the future, then wishes like preventing Jake Morrison's death or wishing Carrie Morrison to not see him as a monster or even just stopping himself from going overboard in the Johto league were out of the question.

Honestly, any wish that could impact his arrival at Hoenn was out of the question too. If he never came, then Wally wouldn't have started down his path to growth.

"What do I really want?" Sonic asked himself, focusing on the present.

He recalled his talk with Ash earlier. How the kid had inquired about the traumatic experiences Sonic had had following the path of a hero.

"Yes… this is it. The kid has a good heart. After tonight he is bound to be seeing my point of view and that I'm truly sorry for what I did. And wishing for him to find the strength to forgive me will not affect the past".

It was settled. All Sonic had to do was be patient. In 6 more days, redemption would be within his grasp.

His train of thought was interrupted by the distressed cries of a snack stand owner.

"What's happening? All my snacks!"

Sonic rushed over only to see all the snacks disappear into thin air with a faint flash.

"Teleportation. Teleportation on a mass scale" he whispered.

Only one pokemon in the immediate area could possibly do such a thing.

"What have those morons done?" Sonic grunted as he rushed to Butler's van.

The purple van was located near the show tent.

Sonic went to the back door and banged on it.

"Hey! Snacks are disappearing at the festival. Is Jirachi behind it?"

His eyes then caught a movement on the van windows.

Looking closer he noticed what could only be described as a mountain of snacks.

And just as Sonic processed this image, the doors of the van opened and snack avalanche came crashing down on him.

Butler and Diane arrived in that very moment to see Ash and co having essentially rode the avalanche out of the van, partially buried in the snacks.

"Where's Jirachi?" Butler asked urgently.

"Jirachi's right here" Max happily replied, pulling the mythical pokemon out of the candy.

"Right here, right here" Jirachi spoke telepathically in joy.

"What happened?" Diane asked them.

"I wished for lots and lots of candy and Jirachi granted that wish for me".

As Diane picked up a snack to examine it, they all heard a muffled grunt coming from the mountain of snacks.

And then they saw a hand wearing a white glove protruding.

Ash tried to hold himself from bursting in laughter as he and Brock helped Sonic out of the pile.

"That… was… terrifying. Did you guys really need to snatch all of the snacks?"

"All?" Ash looked at him in question.

"And what do you mean snatch?" Brock focused on that bit.

"He means that those snacks are from the snack bar in the park" Diane intervened, showing them the snack she was holding.

"Then that means Jirachi teleported them, an ability it is known to have" Butler surmised.

May then finally freed herself from the pile and bit down on a chocolate bar before taking the surroundings in.

"I'm ruined I tell you I'm ruined!" the snack bar owner's voice had them all awkwardly looking.

"I knew something was funny about the candy!" May suddenly burst out "Max this is all your fault with your stupid wish!"

"Wait so this is all because Max wished for candy?" Sonic asked for clarification.

"Yeah and he had us all arguing about who would get the next wish!" May went off again.

"Let's calm down May. We can fix this" the hedgehog tried to calm her down.

"How?"

"Jirachi can put all the candy back where it came from" Brock suggested.

"Good then! You heard him Jirachi! Get rid of the problem!" May shouted at the pokemon.

"Rid of problem? Okay" Jirachi happily answered as the 3 smaller ribbons on its head glowed.

With a flash, May disappeared.

"Woah!" Sonic exclaimed, stepping back, tripping into a box of candy and falling, slamming down on the van wall.

"Ouch".

"She's gone!" Ash stared at the ground where May stood a second ago in disbelief.

"Where did she go?" Brock frantically looked around.

"Jirachi what did you do with my sister?"

"Help!" May's voice called out from the pile of snacks still inside the van.

"Heh. She didn't go very far" Sonic commented as he rubbed the side of his head where he had slammed into the van.

Ash and Brock climbed the pile and helped her out as Jirachi fell asleep. Sonic heard Butler explaining to Max that Jirachi usually hibernated and was only awake for the week the comet would circumvent Earth so it was natural for it to need to recharge its energy.

"What do we do with the snacks?" May asked once freed.

"We're going to have to carry them back ourselves" Brock shrugged.

May was less than enthusiastic about the idea.

"What say you all we make it funny then? Whoever takes the most back gets owed anything he likes from the bar" Sonic proposed.

"Deal!" Ash quickly accepted.

"Ok then!" Sonic replied before grabbing a box of cookies and using his super speed to get it back and be back in an instant.

"Hey no fair! You're using your powers!"

"True. Alright then. I will carry one at a time!" Sonic set a rule for himself then grabbed a can of soda and raced away.

"Oh I'm not losing to you! Come on Pikachu!" Ash said grabbing a huge pile of snacks and racing away, with Pikachu carrying a few on its own.

Brock and May giggled as they saw the two rivals run back and forth trying to outdo each other.

In the end Sonic won, although his rule made his victory very narrow. Regardless, he decided to be the bigger man, or in his case, bigger hedgehog and bought everyone anything they liked, ending the night in a pleasant note.

All the while, Shadow had been recording Sonic's speed from the shadows.

Having heard what the magician had to say, Shadow had decided to wait it out before carrying out his mission, destroying the machine and leaving with the blueprints.

If Butler was right about his plan, then the payoff team Magma would have thanks to Shadow would be beyond extreme. Maybe even render the grand plan pointless.

"Reviving an ancient god pokemon. That could be something worth my time".

And then there was the power source that would be used to achieve that; The mythical Jirachi.

If he timed it perfectly, Shadow could possibly escape with everything; The captured god pokemon, Jirachi and the blueprints after wrecking the machine.

"And if I can destroy that loser along the way, it will be a sweet bonus".

With those thoughts he retreated to sleep.

Unaware that nature was calling to his absol.

The next day came sooner than everyone expected.

For Sonic the day started with Max running him over as he chased Jirachi while playing with it. Instead of getting angry, he laughed. Jirachi was just too adorable to get mad at.

At first Sonic's plan was to continue staking out in hopes of catching Shadow but Ash revealed they would be volunteering at Butler's show and invited him to join.

Sonic decided to take advantage of the situation and agreed to backstage duty. If Shadow came around, he would be ready.

The show went smoothly although weirdly for Sonic, Shadow didn't appear at all. But watching Ash dressed like a clown gave him a good laugh, not in a mocking way of course.

Halfway through the show, Sonic called Mr Stone, informing him of his run in with Shadow and telling him that he was thinking about forcing Shadow to produce proof that he was the enforcer so they could expose him.

Mr Stone wasn't very fond of the idea, mostly because it involved forcing and plus, just Shadow's word wouldn't be enough to connect team Magma to Socexp. He requested Sonic to proceed with caution and try to find tangible evidence of connection between the team and Socexp, reminding him of what would happen if Devon got caught up in legal trouble. How he dealt with the enforcer was his business. Sonic agreed and ended the call.

In the afternoon as May was helping Sonic wrap up everything, Max and Jirachi returned from a day of enjoying the festival.

Just in time for May to accidentally cause a tall beam on wheels to fall.

"Help me Max!" she called for help as she tried to prevent it from falling.

Max rushed to help but Jirachi playfully stole his glasses, causing Max to let go.

Sonic arrived just in time, harnessing his bond with Raichu to easily set the beam upright again.

"Wow. You don't look that strong" May said in admiration.

"Another perk of my bond with my Raichu" Sonic gloated a little bit though he was serious on the inside.

"My bond didn't weaken me this time. I must be going the right way at last" he thought.

The two then were joined by Ash, Brock, Diane and Butler explaining the almost disaster but all then had a good laugh about it.

Sonic felt cheerful.

It almost felt too good to be true. And it was.

The tent roof was suddenly ripped, letting in a small gust of wind, which they all heard.

Max and Jirachi were right under it.

And then a deep cry.

"Absol".

The mirror in front of which Max and Jirachi stood was smashed into bits as out walked Absol, looking very threatening.

"An Absol" Max flinched.

Absol unleashed a slash which flew past Max and Jirachi and shattered a stack of boxes.

Raichu came out of Sonic's pokeball, rushing towards the noise. Everyone followed it.

As soon as they turned the corner they saw it.

"That's the same pokemon from the museum!" Brock realised.

"Absol!" Ash identified it.

"The pokemon said to appear before a great tragedy!" Butler said dramatically.

"Rai rai!"

"That guy again!" Sonic heard in his head.

"Again?" he whispered before gasping in realization.

That was Shadow's Absol.

"Raichu thunder punch!"

Raichu charged Absol only to be met with a sudden razor wind attack, sending it crashing into Sonic.

Absol then fired another slash towards Max and Jirachi, opening a hole in a prop, allowing them to escape to the stage through it.

"Max!" May rushed after them, followed by Ash and the others while Diane checked on Sonic.

They found Max and Jirachi cornered on the empty stage by Absol.

"Torchic I need you!"

Torchic faced down Absol.

"Ember!"

Torchic fired ember which barely tickled Absol.

"Pikachu use thunderbolt!"

"Pika chuuuu!"

Again the attack barely tickled Absol.

The group's pokemon were just no match for any one pokemon belonging to Shadow.

"Absol is here for me" Jirachi solemnly said, teleporting Pikachu and Torchic out of harm's way, although it was way over the tent's roof, causing them to harmlessly fall on it.

Absol then unleashed another razor wind towards Max.

"NO!" May screamed in terror of the attack about to connect.

An orange blur passed by her.

"RAAAII!" a loud cry was heard as thunder punch countered razor wind, dispersing it and causing Absol to flinch.

Sonic joined Raichu, blue lightning crackling all over him.

Ash looked at him awe, standing guard in front of Max.

Absol hesitated taking on Raichu but charged forward regardless.

Butler frowned in frustration before forcing a smile and pushing a button.

A trapdoor opened and Absol fell right in.

"A good magician always has a trapdoor standing by" Butler said pressing a button on his rod.

The trapdoor opened again, raising a barred cage in which was a now livid Absol, slamming its horn against the cage bars, trying to break free.

"Final trick" Butler said in a theatrical voice calling out his Kirlia "Kirlia hypnosis".

Kirlia used its move on Absol successfully, putting it to sleep.

After Pikachu and Torchic returned, the group cautiously approached the cage.

"Why was Absol attacking us?" Ash asked the obvious.

"Jirachi said Absol came for it" Max informed them.

"Is it possible that they know each other?" May wondered.

"Unlikely since Jirachi has been asleep for 1000 years".

"I think I know why" Sonic said as he knelt in front of the caged Absol.

"Are you sure it's the same?" he thought in his head, looking at Raichu.

"Rai rai" Raichu cried back at him nodding.

"Affirmative" Sonic heard.

Sonic nodded back.

"This is Shadow's Absol" he told the group.

"What?!" the all exclaimed, Butler in a mix between disbelief and question.

"Who is this Shadow?" Butler quickly asked Sonic.

"The guy who literally crashed on your girlfriend yesterday when we crashed the performance" Sonic explained.

Max remembered how dangerous the enforcer was during the museum brawl. If he was after Jirachi…

"What do we do?"

"There's two possibilities but both have the same outcome. Shadow is going to make his move soon. Whether it is to release his Absol or to snatch Jirachi I don't know. But I promise you Max, I will not let him get away with this. I will stand guard all week if I have too" Sonic declared, knowing that Shadow would try to snatch Jirachi before it was time for it to go back to hibernation.

"You won't do it alone. I will help" Ash quickly offered.

"And so will I" Brock added.

"We all will" May assured Sonic.

The rest of the day went by this exact way; with the older trainers standing guard near Butler's tent, waiting, unaware the attack would come from the least expected person.

While the others slept, Sonic stood guard, having chugged 3 cups of 4 doses of coffee for that very reason.

After a while he regretted chugging them all at once.

His energy output was so much and his adrenaline was pumping so hard that lightning crackled on him occasionally.

"All the better. Shadow will be extremely overwhelmed".

At one point he took to observing the sky and the comet.

"Oh. Right. Almost forgot".

Taking out his star piece, he closed another component.

"5 more days. And I will finally be redeemed".

He smiled at the prospect of having the weight of guilt off his back. He would finally be able to live again.

"Anything suspicious?"

It was Butler.

"Nope. Not yet. But he will come. I know he will. Is the Absol still in the cage?"

"Yes. Safe and sound. Have no worries. I will call you if need be" Butler said and walked off.

Sonic watched him leave and went back to standing guard.

The night was peaceful. Eerily peaceful.

"Something's not right. Shadow isn't one to bide his time. So why would he take so long to make a move?" he wondered in silence.

It really didn't make sense. If Shadow was here it meant the rumors that team Magma was assembling in Fallarbor town were true.

But if it was to come here and find Jirachi they would have been here already.

"So it's not about Jirachi. Shadow's mission is seperate. He must have realized the potential profit and that's why he is after Jirachi".

And yet Shadow was biding his time when he was on a deadline. Why?

He then remembered a detail from the previous day. Butler had introduced them to the crowd to save the show. And he had literally asked Shadow his name.

And Shadow had spoken his name.

"Yet Butler asked me who Shadow was. Why?" Sonic spoke as the gears turned in his head.

"Sonic?"

It was May.

"What are you doing up so late May?"

"Completing my wishing star. What was Butler doing in the van?"

"What?"

"I saw him leave the van just moments ago".

Sonic looked at the van and the final piece of the puzzle connected.

"He knows of Shadow!" he said in shock.

"What?"

Sonic rushed to van doors and loudly opened them rushing to Max's bed.

Jirachi was gone.

"WAKE UP!" he screeched, causing the rest to jolt awake.

"Are you out of your mind?" Ash complained.

"Butler is in league with Shadow! He stole Jirachi!"

Just as Sonic was speaking those words, Butler was placing Jirachi in the machine.

Shadow stood nearby with Diane, arms crossed, greatly annoyed at his imprisoned Absol.

"It is time. Despite your Absol almost ruining everything".

"Shut up and get on with it".

"We have a deal. Why would you act on your own, alerting the hero of Kanto?" Butler asked as he set the desired settings.

"I didn't. It acted on its own".

Absol truly seemed to be acting on its own. It kept hitting the cage bars with its horn, attempting to escape.

"Stop it! Before I punish you for your insolence!" Shadow threatened Absol.

Absol growled at Shadow.

While Shadow was busy disciplining his Absol, Diane approached Butler.

"Butler I have a bad feeling about this. I think Absol was trying to get Jirachi back to Forina".

"Doubtful. It would be crazy to try and act against someone like the enforcer".

"Butler it's not too late to stop. I have a sinking feeling that something horrible is about to happen if you proceed".

"I've worked so hard and waited so long for this day Diane. I can't stop now".

"What for Butler? You really wish to join them? To work with someone like the enforcer?"

"All I want… is for my brilliance to be acknowledged as it should have been back then" Butler said as he started blankly at the comet, remembering.

FLASHBACK

"Esteemed members of team Magma! Observe these fossilized remnants of Groudon! I have invented a device, one capable of generating a living, breathing Groudon, right here, right now from this one small piece!"

Butler set the fossil into his device and reached for the lever.

"I give you… a Groudon!"

The device began its work as the fossil glowed red, as did the top components of the device, sending a red glowing energy beam to the ground in front of the observing Magma grunts and in front of the desk where admins Courtney and Tabitha looked on in awe, while Leader Maxie observed calmly, stone faced, barely phased.

The floor where the energy landed began turning into liquid and shaping.

But before it could take any real shape, the device malfunctioned and fell apart, the fossil case shattering into pieces and the fossil rolling on the ground.

The Magma grunts all burst out laughing and hurling mocking jokes at Butler, including Courtney and Tabitha.

Maxie remained stone faced, calmly clapping his hands twice and shutting everyone up in an instant.

He fixed his glasses on his nose with his middle finger and stood up.

"Everyone leave the room in an organized manner".

All the Magma members left, not saying a word or even showing an emotion. Maxie's word was law.

Once all had left, Maxie approached Butler, with his arms behind his back, as the man in front of him attempted to salvage anything.

"I warned you, you only had one chance to get this right. One chance and you blew it".

"Please sir. Just give me another chance. I need a more powerful energy source to start the regeneration process" Butler begged.

"Save it. My company's resources and funds have better places to go than the school project of a lunatic illusionist playing scientist. Get out of my sight and don't breathe a word of our meeting or I will make sure you spend the rest of your life in a solitary confinement cell".

Maxie turned to leave before stopping and looking over his shoulder.

"I trust you will do the right thing here. I would hate to watch your girlfriend sob herself dry as you are being dragged away" he warned Butler again before leaving the room and leaving Butler utterly broken.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Team Magma made a mockery of my work and president Maxie made a fool out of me! But finally I will show them!"

"Butler" Diane whispered, heartbroken to watch her beloved lose himself in his need for validation.

With Jirachi writhing the entire time as it struggled to break free, Butler moved to the ignition switch.

"Now Jirachi! Get me the energy that I need! Open your true eye and absorb the comet's power!"

"I don't… want to!" Jirachi begged through telepathy.

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice" Butler coldly replied "Dusclops psychic!"

Dusclops got into Jirachi's mind and began forcing the eye on its belly open.

"AAAAAAAAHHH!" Jirachi screamed as the eye was slowly opened.

Shadow found himself surprisingly disturbed by the image of the Jirachi's suffering.

He watched on, telling himself there was no problem with that, that Jirachi was a means to an end.

"Aren't Pokemon the cutest?" Maria's voice echoed in his head.

Shadow shook his head, trying to snap out of it. His growing emotions would not interfere.

"Why should our gain be at their expense?" Maria's voice again spoke in his head.

Shadow grabbed the sides of his head forcing himself to keep watching as his entire being screamed to avert his gaze, that he couldn't watch this anymore.

Absol was now violently banging on the cage bar, slowly causing it to bend.

A beam was fired from Jirachi's belly eye towards the comet and then it came back towards it, transferring the comet's power to it.

Sonic, Ash and co saw it come down on the tent.

"They've started! Let's go!" Sonic rushed forward, followed by Ash and the others.

"This is it!" Butler declared in glee "Do it Jirachi! Create…!"

Before he could finish his sentence, the gathering of energy exploded outwards, knocking him, Diane and Shadow out cold.

The heroes arrived on the scene, witnessing the bruised Jirachi under the spotlight.

"Jirachi!" Max rushed to its side.

"What power" Butler marveled as he stood back up "now I just have to harness it".

"What have you done with Jirachi?!" Max demanded to know.

"I'll take care of it" Butler moved towards Max.

"No way!" Max shielded Jirachi.

"Over my dead body!" Sonic stood in front of them.

"We can accommodate that" Shadow replied as he stood back up.

"Butler please! It's not too late to stop!" Diane begged him again.

"Why would I stop now when I am so close?! Have faith in me Diane! I'm doing this for you!"

"Stop lying Butler! This isn't for me! It's about you, your need for validation!" she retorted with teary eyes.

"I don't believe this" Shadow said, disgusted he was the third wheel.

"Get Jirachi away" Sonic instructed Max who tried to flee.

Butler shoved Diane aside.

"Dusclops! Psychic!"

Max was lifted in the air.

"Pikachu thunderbolt!"

Shadow's salamence came out, easily tanking the attack.

"Pathetic! Dragon claw!"

"Raichu iron tail!"

The iron tail and the dragon claw clashed, shaking the entire tent.

"Aron! Mud slap!"

Aron came out, firing mud-slap at Dusclops causing it to break it focus and drop Max and Jirachi.

"Absol! Be useful already!" Shadow recalled it and then called it back out, free from the cage.

Sonic took out Combusken's pokeball as Ash stood by him holding Corphish's pokeball.

"I wish I was home. I wish to go to Forina" Jirachi weakly said.

"Where's Forina?" Max softly asked it.

"Max let's go!" May took him by the hand.

"Go with them! I'll catch up!" Sonic instructed Ash.

"No way! You can't take them both at once!"

"Trust me!" Sonic pleaded.

"Everyone follow me!" Diane had the kids follow her.

Ash followed before turning to Sonic for a moment.

"You better catch up!" he said before leaving.

Sonic nodded and recalled Aron.

"What an arrogant moron. You can't take us both on with just Raichu!" Shadow taunted him.

To his shock, Sonic also recalled Raichu.

"Then it's a good thing there are no rules here".

He got on his knees and charged a homing attack.

Before Shadow or Butler could utter a word, Sonic had slammed into Salamence, knocking it out.

Spindashing back around, he slammed into Shadow, easily knocking him out.

Butler and Dusclops tried to stop Sonic with psychic but the hedgehog was not affected.

One more homing attack for two ended the battle.

Butler, with a lot of effort while still down, sent Mightyena.

As the van pulled out and fled the festival, Ash anxiously looked through the back windows.

And sure enough, he saw Sonic approaching fast.

"Brock help me out!"

The two carefully opened the doors, still holding them from the handles.

With a burst of speed, Sonic hopped in, somersaulting as he landed. Ash and Brock quickly closed the doors.

"Floor it Diane!" Brock called out to her.

Diane did so, but not before Butler's Mightyena also caught up, attaching a tracking device on the van.

"You ok?" May asked Sonic.

"Yeah. I handled those guys just fine" he replied as he realized once again his body wasn't drained from the usage of speed.

"Is Jirachi ok?" he subsequently asked May.

"Just fine. It's sleeping".

"Good" Sonic nodded as he got up and headed to the passenger's seat next to Diane.

"You got some explaining to do" he sarcastically told her.

"I know. Not some. A lot".

"Wait. Before that, where are we going to go? Butler and Shadow will pursue us" Ash reminded them.

"Jirachi said it wants to go back to Forina. It desires to go home, where Butler found it as a rock".

"So he went looking for it on purpose? Why?" Sonic asked interrogatively.

"Butler wasn't always a magician. He has a degree in biology and sought to be hired by Socexp corporation. He managed to get an appointment with their president, Maxie under the pretence that he knew Maxie led team Magma".

"So it's true? Maxie is their leader?"

"That's what Butler said".

"So he is Shadow's boss!" Ash said in realization.

Sonic nodded.

"Do you have any proof of this?"

"No. Maxie threatened Butler to not speak of team Magma to anyone, after Butler's failed attempt to present his work to them".

"His work?" Brock asked her, his head popping next to Sonic's, jealous he was not sitting next to Diane.

"Yes. You see, Butler and I grew up together. While taking a walk as teenagers, Butler collected several minerals he wanted to study one day. He discovered something. Something that changed him forever".

"Get to the point already" Sonic insisted.

"He found a fossil. A fossil containing DNA from Groudon".

"Groudon?" Sonic repeated the name.

"Isn't that the legendary pokemon known to have incredible power?" Brock asked Diane.

"That. And a lot more".

"As in?"

"Groudon is an ancient species, existing long before humans ever walked this Earth. It even existed during the time of humans. It ruled Hoenn as the god of land opposing another species whose name I don't know. The other species was known as the god of the seas".

"God pokemon? You can't be serious. I have caught my fair share of legendary pokemon and I have met Ho-oh up close. It's insanely powerful but I wouldn't as far as calling it a god" Sonic disagreed, remembering Knuckles' narration of his great grandfather Athair treating Ho-oh as a god.

"Groudon is unlike Ho-oh or any other pokemon you have seen. It was so powerful it could create land by causing mass earthquakes and even move earth's tectonic plates. Thankfully it went extinct during the great war".

"The great war" Sonic repeated in deep thought.

The name seemed strangely familiar.

"And Butler wants to bring it back to life?!" Ash inquired.

"I still don't get what Jirachi has to do with all of this" Max spoke up.

"In order to power his machine, Butler needed a power source as ancient as Groudon itself. Maybe even more ancient than Groudon".

"As ancient as Groudon?" Ash wondered.

"There's only one power source connected to Jirachi" Sonic reminded them pointing out the window.

"The millennium comet" May said in understanding.

Diane nodded.

"Jirachi can absorb the comet's power. Butler was going to use his device to redirect that energy and create a Groudon. Extracting the energy from Jirachi's body in the process".

Sonic looked at the helpless mythical pokemon.

"So he wanted a battery. What a class A heartless bastard".

"Language!" Brock smacked him on the head "You can't speak like that in front of a lady!"

"But why would Butler so this?" Max asked Diane, terrified at the prospect of Jirachi enduring such a process.

"He wants to be validated by Maxie, whose insults he took way too personally".

"Well let him deal with that himself! We can't let him hurt Jirachi!"

"Spoken like a true best friend Max" Ash said, proud of Max.

"So what's the plan?" Brock inquired.

"Simple. We take Jirachi to Forina" May pointed the obvious and only choice.

"Right Diane?"

"Let's go!" the young woman said in determination.

"We'll need to stay on guard though. Shadow will also be on our tail alongside Butler and he is no pushover. And most importantly, now that he knows of Jirachi, I have no doubt he will double cross Butler to take it for team Magma if they manage to enact his plan" Sonic warned them.

"Let them come! We'll beat them together!" Ash welcomed the challenge.

Back at the festival, Shadow was livid at Butler.

"You incompetent idiot! No wonder Maxie threw you out! You are useless! You had one job and blew it!"

"Relax" Butler showed him a monitor on which the location of the van was shown.

Without another word, Butler pressed the button on his stick, revealing an airship out of a part of his tent.

"We'll catch up on this" he told Shadow who nodded in silent agreement.

"You better not mess it up, otherwise I will bring you back to Maxie in chains as compensation for the wasted time".

Butler didn't reply.

"Diane" he thought "I thought you of all people would understand my feelings".

Far away, the crew was now heading for Forina, turning the occasion into a road trip.

They spent the day mostly talking and playing with Jirachi and even included Sonic who was grateful at this.

During the night, Sonic snuck away for a few moments, closing the third component, unaware that May also did the same.

As he returned back to the camp, claiming he just took a walk, a small flashing red light hit him in the eye.

He turned to May who was sitting at the back of the van.

"Get off".

"What?"

"Now!"

Taken aback, May obliged.

"Sonic what's…?" Ash approached them before hearing a loud click.

Sonic stood back up revealing what he was holding.

"We're being tracked".

"What?!"

"Butler must have put it before we escaped. He long disliked my disagreement with his plans" Diane said in regret.

"Don't be sad it wasn't your fault" Brock naturally rushed to comfort her.

"We need to destroy it. We can't let Butler know where we're going!" May said.

Sonic nodded.

He applied pressure to the device by tightening his fist as he harnessed his bond with Raichu.

The device cracked and broke to the shock of the others.

"Done and done" Sonic said with a grin.

"This is so cool! It's like you and Raichu are two sides of the same coin" Ash said impressed.

"We are in a way" Sonic agreed.

Sometime later, while everyone else was sleeping, with Sonic standing guard in case Shadow jumped them, May noticed Diane was sad.

"What's wrong?"

"Butler wasn't always like that. We grew up together. Back then… he was so passionate about what he did. And he was like that because he loved it. Performing magic tricks for me, studying pokemon biology… I just wish he could go back to the way he was".

"After how he treated you?" Sonic asked her as he joined them, having overheard.

"Yes. Even now I still want only what's best for him. I just wish he could see that".

"I'm sure he can. He is just a bit lost" May tried to comfort her.

Diane shook her head.

"You're both too young to understand. Butler has made it his life's goal to get validation from Maxie. He has been planning and living his life ever since that day based on how he was treated a singular time".

"I can't imagine how much Maxie insulted him to get to this point" Sonic lamented.

Diane again shook her head.

"That's no way to live Sonic. Making it your life's goal to get validation or payback from a bully is no way to live".

The words struck closer at home than Diane could ever imagine.

"So… but… you're telling me if someone made your life miserable and you could do something about it to make them regret it you wouldn't?" Sonic asked, trying to sound as if they were just having a philosophical conversation.

"There are bullies everywhere. And there will always be bullies. Which is why we can't let ourselves dictate ourselves and our actions based on them. Because doing that we are giving them power over our lives. That's what Butler has done. He has given Maxie the power to control his life. I just…I wish he could see that this is no way to live".

May hugged her for comfort. Sonic offered his support as well and then returned to keeping watch.

"Is that what my friends think of me? That I'm someone who gives Shadow power over me?" he wondered.

He didn't regret heading for Fallarbor town anymore, that was for certain. If he hadn't Shadow would have made away with Jirachi and possibly the ressurected Groudon.

But the real question was, was Sonic's reasoning wrong?

The question plagued him in the dark of night.

On a cliff above him, Absol, sent by Shadow, observed quietly.

It had been dispatched to intercept them so Butler and Shadow could catch up.

It prepared to bark so Shadow could receive confirmation it had found them but didn't.

Shadow was Absol's master but he was wrong.

Jirachi belonged to Forina. It needed to return home to restore the balance.

The balance that Absol and its kind had sworn to protect.

It wouldn't go against its nature or nature itself. Even if it meant disobeying Shadow.

The road trip continued the following days with several adventures and misadventures like Sonic shooting down team rocket's hot air balloon in a canyon by using Combusken's ember.

Another time, the van got stuck in mud on a steep incline and the heroes tried to push it. Diane then had an idea for Sonic to drag the van from the front by wearing a harness meant for tricks that she had from a time Butler worked as a circus magician.

"What?! No way! I'll look ridiculous!" Sonic protested before everyone giving him an annoyed look.

"If you tell anyone about this…" he warned them as he wore the harness and used his bond with Raichu to help drag the van out of the mud.

The result was Ash and co getting covered in mud as the wheels slipped. They all burst in laughter, both parties promising to never talk to others about those embarrassing albeit funny moments.

Along the way, the crew began including Sonic more and more into their activities, such as rock throwing to make it splash more than once, with Ash even kicking Sonic's ball form to splash on the water before ricochetting on the other side of the pond and landing normally by their side.

On his end, Sonic narrated them tales of his adventures in Kanto as well as with Tails and Knuckles in Johto, such as the battle of the slowpoke well and their encounter with unown at the ruins of alph which led to them discovering how and where to go to return Molly Hale's parents to her after bringing them back from the unown dimension.

And of course training wasn't off the table. Ash himself for once decided to observe Sonic's training session, trying to learn anything at all from it.

After a while Ash wanted in and had his pokemon spar with Sonic's although the two refrained from pitting Pikachu and Raichu against each other. They wouldn't force this duel.

All the while each night, May and Sonic kept completing their wishing star one piece at a time, unbeknownst to each other.

This had Max saddened due to his imminent and permanent separation from Jirachi which he couldn't come to terms with.

Ash and Sonic comforted the kid together, with Ash talking about his friendship with Misty and how they didn't see each other anymore but didn't make them less of friends.

Sonic also brought several examples like Wave who Max knew and how she had returned home and despite losing contact with Sonic and their friends, it was like not a day had passed. He also spoke of Tails and Knuckles and how he also was doing his best to process Tails' recent move to Johto to be with his girlfriend and how different it would be not to be in Green Hills permanently.

Lastly, Sonic mentioned his comrade Mike. The two weren't as close as Sonic was with his long-time friends but he and Mike's war with team rocket and Giovanni had tied their destinies together forever. In Sonic's words, even though he hadn't seen Mike for months and had deliberately not called him to arms in Johto as he wanted to let him find peace following the death of Jolteon, he knew that his comrade was trustworthy and if Sonic ever needed to call him for help he would come, because he knew Sonic would do the same.

That helped Max a lot by understanding Jirachi and he would remain friends even after the mythical pokemon returned to hibernation but it didn't make it any easier.

Later that night, after Sonic had closed yet another component in his wishing star, he was joined by Ash, hurriedly hiding the star.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Sure".

Ash sat next to the hedgehog who was just laying there, stargazing.

"We're almost there. A little more and Jirachi will be safe from Shadow".

"I know. But I won't let my guard down. Not until Jirachi is safely back in hibernation, away from Shadow's thieving hands".

"We'll deal with him if he comes" Ash confidently declared.

Sonic nodded, though unlike Ash he was confident a confrontation wouldn't happen.

"You still haven't answered my question though".

"What question?"

"Why is it personal between you and Shadow?"

Sonic took a moment to recall Ash actually asking the question.

"Shadow was a bully to me and my friends in Green Hills. He insulted Knuckles about his parents, he trashed Tails' workshop and even stole the girl I liked back then".

Ash's mouth was wide open. He was expecting something stupid like an argument or a fight not a straight up bullying case.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. I left my hometown to escape his and Amy's – the girl I once liked – combined bullying. Yes you heard that right. He turned her against us, into a bully just like himself".

Ash couldn't believe it.

"But… why would she turn on you so easily? I mean if she was your friend…"

"I don't know. All I know is it backfired magnificently on their faces. Following my victory in Kanto, Amy broke up with Shadow and tried to pursue me instead. And I will give you one clue as to what the consequences of such a move was; Recently I found out she moved somewhere else to attend law school after the whole town blacklisted her".

Ash couldn't believe it once again.

"Man. All that led to you and me meeting?"

"That and a lot more led to us meeting".

Ash looked back to the sky too.

"So this is why you build power? To make her regret it?"

"No. She already has and now it's too late. Up until now I built power to bring down team rocket. Because I saw the suffering of the Pokemon and couldn't ignore it" Sonic said looking sideways to meet Ash's eyes.

"You and I might see things differently on a vast amount of things, but I'm sure you understand this. That I am becoming as strong as I can so no other pokemon will ever get hurt again".

Ash nodded.

"I do".

Sonic then got up to go get some shut eye. Before he left he placed his hand on Ash's shoulder.

"Your journey hadn't had as much trials as mine, but it was full of beautiful memories for you and your pokemon alike. You and Pikachu together. Something I have to admit I envy it a bit".

"Yours led to power though. Power I have yet to overcome".

"Power can also come with experience and time without forcing it as you claim" Sonic said, surprising Ash who didn't expect this admittance from Sonic.

"You got a good thing going for you kid. Enjoy it while you rise to attaining your dream. Good night" Sonic encouraged Ash before leaving to get some rest himself.

Ash watched his rival leave, reflecting on what the hedgehog has said.

For the first time ever, Sonic had admitted that Ash's path wasn't wrong. That he could still grow strong at his own pace.

"Maybe… maybe he isn't as bad as I thought" he admitted as he gazed up to the sky.

Further away, the airship carrying Butler and Shadow, the atmosphere was more grim and serious.

"Any news from your Absol?"

"No. And I don't understand why. It has never failed before".

"It's alright. We will catch up to them regardless".

"You better make sure of that. For your own sake".

"You really think I am scared of your empty threat?"

Shadow's hand clamped at Butler's throat.

"What did you say?!"

He lessened the pressure so Butler could talk.

"I said… I don't… *cough* believe that taking me… to Maxie will change anything for you".

"That so?"

"He will only make a mockery out of you for wasting time with me".

"I don't get mocked. I am the enforcer. " Shadow countered, releasing Butler.

"Really? You mean to tell me he showers you with compliments? Lets you in on every little detail of the team's purpose and plans?"

Shadow gritted his teeth, his frustration of not knowing the grand plan returning.

Butler chuckled.

"The great Shadow the hedgehog, the fist of team Magma, is as much in the dark as the cogs in the system. Frustrating begging for the respect you rightly deserve right? You could die in a mission and Maxie would just say 'oh no, anyway'".

Shadow entertained the thought. Was he really that expendable? After everything he had done for Maxie? After the countless times he was almost arrested, after getting into fistfights with Archie?

And now after experiencing Sonic's power in the form of his homing attack?

"Which is why I will ressurect Groudon and prove my worth to Maxie. He will have no choice but to admit he was wrong to mock me in my presentation!" Butler declared, his voice disappearing into the wind.

Days continued to go by as the heroes raced towards Forina with the villains in pursuit, frustration and arguments on the latter end and positivity and cheerfulness in the former.

On the last night before arrival to Forina, the 6th night of the comet's presence on Earth, everything felt as if Johto league had never happened. Ash and Sonic were friendly with each other as if there was no bone to pick.

Sonic had even began wondering if making the wish to earn Ash's forgiveness was even necessary anymore. It seemed like they were letting the past go.

But nothing could stay secret forever.

As Sonic went on a small patrol to make sure they were still not followed, Jirachi and Max played as usual.

Max tripped on Sonic's backpack.

The wishing star rolled out.

Max picked it up.

"Hey why are you taking my stuff?!" May berated him as she took it off his hands.

"Hey give it back! It's not yours!"

"I know you are saddened with Jirachi leaving but stopping me from counting down…" May continued to shout until she noticed the star.

She hadn't yet closed the 6th component. And yet this one had 6 pieces closed.

"Where did you find this?"

"It rolled out of Sonic's backpack".

"What's all the ruckus about?" Ash and Brock came to them upon hearing the argument.

"Max found this. In Sonic's backpack".

"A wishing star?" Ash said in surprise.

"He bought one too? Why didn't he tell us?" Brock inquired.

Sonic's phone buzzed from inside the van. He had forgotten it.

The group rushed inside and saw a text message on the screen. One from Tails. Replying to Sonic's message from the second day of the festival.

"Wishing your problems with Ash away is not true redemption Sonic. I thought you were better than this".

Ash froze.

It couldn't be.

There was no way.

It was all a lie.

And of course Sonic's timing couldn't be worse.

"Good news. We're not being followed".

Ash roared and lunged.

The two rolled on the ground as Ash went ballistic on the hedgehog.

Sonic, using his bond with Raichu, pushed Ash off and hopped back up.

"What's gotten into you?!"

"You lying deceiving monster!"

"What's wrong with him?!" Sonic asked Brock.

"You tell us" Brock coldly replied, showing Sonic the wishing star.

Sonic gasped.

"Where did you find that?"

"It rolled out of your backpack" May informed him.

"And we saw Tails' message!" Ash threw Sonic the phone.

Sonic caught it and read the text.

His facial expression became one of terror. And then shame.

"You… you weren't supposed to find out" he blurted.

"Weren't supposed to find out you were magically going to force me to forgive you?!"

"That was my intention at first! But then… we started getting along again and… and I thought the wish was no longer necessary…"

"Necessary…" Ash replied spitting "well it is now! Because you can force me to forgive you but you will always know that I would never truly forgive you! You are lying manipulative ekans and you deserve to have your home burned by your enemy!"

"Ash!" May's hand went to her mouth.

But Ash wasn't stopping. Not before he hit Sonic where it would hurt the most.

"Detective's Morrison's wife was right! You are as much of a monster as Giovanni!"

Just Blaze's words had broken Ash into tears, Ash's words broke Sonic into tears.

It was like the verdict had been read. The jig was up. Forever.

Ash turned around and hopped into the van, shooting Sonic another angry look before slamming the doors shut.

Brock, May and Max with Jirachi by his side all left Sonic alone, to face the consequences of his lying and manipulative behavior.

Picking up his wishing star that had been dropped to the ground by Brock, Sonic was now lost as he looked at the remaining unclosed component.

What good was the star now? How could he fix this situation even with a wish?

He could wish they never found the star but that could cause an eternally changing reality.

"Wishing for them to never find the star would cause me to then wish for Ash to forgive me, which in turn would reset everything and repeat all over again".

He was stuck. Forever. And it was his doing.

Sonic spent the night alone, outside, wallowing in self pity, constantly asking himself how to fix it. But he couldn't find an answer.

There probably was no answer.

Redemption was now lost forever.

Was there even a point to continue with the gym challenge?

Morning came eventually and Sonic was sleep deprived and with black circles around his eyes.

Ash's group, with the exception of May who once again had turned neutral because of Ash saying Sonic deserved to watch his home burn, didn't bat an eye to the hedgehog's obvious mental suffering.

The group then covered the final distance to Forina with Sonic keeping up on foot, this time his bond with Raichu taking a toll on him.

"Punishment for my actions" he thought. It continued to track. It wasn't just about misusing the bond. It was about whether he was good or not.

And currently he wasn't.

Upon looking up again, he was met a wide open valley, full of pillars of earth. The land of Forina spread in front of him.

"Jirachi's homeland" he whispered.

The group got off the van and Brock approached Sonic.

"We decided you can join us until Jirachi is safely back in hibernation. After all you're the only one of us who can go toe to toe with Shadow. Afterwards we go our separate ways".

"I have no objections".

The squad, led by Diane took a path down to the valley and walked through the thick trees and between the tall rock formations, heading for the cave Butler had found Jirachi.

Sonic deliberately remained at the back of pack so as to not attract attention to himself. The others were all marveling at the various species living in Forina.

While walking Sonic noticed a pokemon that got his attention.

It was a green and brown winged pokemon with a banana chin.

"Looks cool. What is that?"

"Tropius, the Fruit Pokémon. Tropius is a grass and flying type. It can fly through the air by flapping the leaves on its back. It grows stronger in bright sunlight".

"Grass and flying huh? Hmmm…"

Further ahead, Ash and co were still marvelling over the pokemon.

"Do you like it?" Jirachi asked Max.

"Like it? I love it!"

Everyone smiled despite the tension.

A deep cry stopped them in their tracks.

"Absol".

Absol blocked their path.

"Absol!" Max instinctively held Jirachi.

"Shadow caught up?!" Ash prepared for battle as Pikachu jumped off his shoulder.

"Where is Sonic?" May looked around, only now realizing the hedgehog's absence.

"Forget about him! We will stop Absol on our own! Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaa…Chuuuu!"

Absol calmly dodged the attack before firing a razor wind on Pikachu.

As Pikachu rolled to the ground, Absol prepared for a slash.

"Rai!"

Raichu appeared out of nowhere, parrying the attack with iron tail. As Sonic caught up.

"Sorry. Took a detour. You see Shadow anywhere?"

"No, just Absol" Ash replied.

Sonic found that very strange. Why would Shadow send Absol alone?

"Absol" the dark type pokemon let out another deep cry.

"Rai? Rai raichu!"

"It says we should follow it" Sonic heard in his head.

"Follow it? Tell it it's out of its mind" Sonic told Raichu.

"Rai rai!"

"How do we know we can trust you?"

"Absol".

"You can trust me, or you can let my master catch up. Your choice".

Sonic heard that in his head.

"Absol fled from Shadow. He doesn't know where we are".

"How can we trust it? Or you for that matter?" Ash fired back.

Sonic weighted their options.

"Diane? Do you know where Jirachi is meant to go?"

"Yes".

"Hm. Butler found Jirachi the first time. Maybe he guessed we would bring it here. So following Absol or not won't change a thing. We're running out of time. Let's go and put Jirachi to sleep before Shadow and Butler make their move".

Ash reluctantly followed, agreeing with the logic.

The walk was long and by the time they were near their destination, the sun was beginning to set. Many pokemon approached them to see Jirachi come home.

Just as night fell for the last time in this rotation of Jirachi's life, the group entered a cave.

"The spot where Jirachi sleeps for a thousand years is just ahead" Diane informed them.

Eventually they arrived under an opening of the cave. The night sky was as beautiful as always and the comet was perfectly visible.

"The star… it calls me" Jirachi floated above the group.

"Jirachi!" Max stopped it "I don't know if you can grant wishes but if you do then I have one! I wish you didn't have to leave so we could be together forever!" he sobbed as he held onto the mythical pokemon for dear life.

"Max. The star. I must".

"It can't grant that wish" Sonic said in understanding.

Despite the tension, they looked at him for elaboration.

"Wish granting always comes with strings attached. Remember Molly? What she lost to gain the power to get her wishes granted? There is even a fairy tale about it. About a boy who found a mystical being that could grant three wishes but its powers had limits. Jirachi probably has the same limitation. It can't grant a wish that will affect its hibernation cycle".

"He is right" Diane said "Jirachi needs to absorb the millennium comet's power and slowly distribute it to the land over its long hibernation. Everything that grows in Forina and beyond feeds of that energy. You could say Jirachi is one the most vital components of our world's very foundation".

"So… Jirachi made all this? And will continue to preserve it? Wow" Max was amazed.

Sonic looked at it as he took out the wishing star.

He positioned it in front of the comet.

No one moved.

"Aren't you going to try and stop me?" he asked Ash without meeting his eyes.

"What for? It's not like I will be able to".

Sonic waited a moment before preparing to push the final piece in place.

"I would like to see how you plan to live with yourself after this" Ash taunted him.

Sonic managed to hold his tears back this time but his voice reflected his anguish.

"What makes you think I can do that?"

Everyone looked at him in question.

"All I wanted for months is to be able to live with myself again. And for that I want things to go back to how they were before I made that horrific mistake".

"Then why not just erase the mistake itself?"

"Because if I do… I never meet Wally. And the kid never breaks free from his overprotective parents".

Nobody had a response. Except Ash.

"If you truly wanted to be redeemed you would have found another way. Made a different wish to get the desired outcome without changing something you don't want to lose. But you didn't. So you take the coward's way out".

The coward's way out?

Sonic froze.

Ash was right.

He was a coward.

But what other choice did he have anymore?

Metal spikes protruded from the walls above them. A purple crackly energy beam was fired from each, trapping the sleeping Jirachi in a purple sphere and raising it towards the opening.

"Jirachi!" Max reached out in terror.

The ceiling of the cave was undone and fell off, revealed to be a curtain.

"It's a trap! They got here before us!" Sonic quickly realized.

And he was right.

On an elevated platform, hanging by wires from the nearby earth pillars, stood Butler and Shadow.

"Showtime! And like any good magician, I've saved my best trick for last.

"Butler" Diane said in sadness "why won't you stop?"

"Let Jirachi go!" Brock shouted at them.

"Or what, shut-eyes?" Shadow mocked him.

"For their finale, most magicians would probably end their show with something very obvious, like making a pokemon disappear. But since I'm not like most magicians, for tonight's show I will be making a pokemon reappear".

"You're insane!" Sonic screamed at him "you think you can just play God? Bringing an extinct pokemon back to life?!"

"Heh. You are one to talk, Sonic the hedgehog. You who desired to magically fix your miserable pathetic life! I heard your sad confession! What true difference is there between you and I?!"

Sonic felt doubt creeping up on him. He remembered his talk with Diane and May the other night.

Both he and Butler had allowed themselves to be defined by how they were treated. Maybe they indeed were…

"Don't listen to him!" Diane snapped Sonic out of it "you would never hurt a pokemon for personal gain! You are a hero who saved pokemon time and again! A few bad choices don't erase all the good ones!"

Those were Blaze's words as well.

Sonic stood strong, determination flaring in his eyes.

"Well if you are both done lying to yourselves, I say we get on with the show!" Butler declared as the energy from Jirachi headed towards the ground, crashing around the group.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! It's the moment you've all been waiting for!"

"So spare the cheap monologue and get on with it you big headed megalomaniacal idiot!" Shadow cursed at Butler as his patience ran thin.

Despite the insults, Butler's smile didn't waver. He took Jirachi towards the machine.

"Jirachi!" Max called out to it, fearful for his friend.

Butler set Jirachi in place and grabbed the lever.

"So Jirachi. Let's do it just as we rehearsed it!"

With those words he pulled the lever.

Jirachi's belly eye opened and it began absorbing the comet's power just like back at the festival.

Without all the screaming, it was easier for Shadow to watch but the image still appeared in his head, making him feel uneasy.

Jirachi then slowly began absorbing more and more energy as the process moved along.

"Don't just stand there! We need to get up there!" Sonic shouted taking out a pokeball.

"Come on out Tropius!"

The grass and flying emerged.

"You caught a Tropius?!" May said in surprise.

"The detour from earlier. You coming?!" he said to Ash.

Ash rushed over and sat behind Sonic. Whatever their issues were, Jirachi needed their help.

"Tropius! Fly!"

Tropius took off, heading for the platform.

The duo crashed into the purple energy, revealed to be a forcefield.

"Are you kidding me?!"

"Game over, hedgehog. This time I win" Shadow mocked him, looking down at the helpless heroes.

A slash struck one of the forcefield generators, breaking it.

They all looked to see…

"Absol!" Ash exclaimed in joy.

"Absol?!" Sonic exclaimed, but in surprise. The dark type had been telling the truth.

"What are you doing you idiotic creature?!" Shadow shouted at Absol in anger.

Absol ignored him and sent another slash towards another of the generators as a flygon joined in destroying one with dragon tail, before using hyper beam to destroy the final one.

"Thank you Flygon! Let's go!" he told Sonic who nodded as they once again soared for the platform.

Shadow looked at Absol in rage before turning his attention to Ash and Sonic.

"I'll deal with you later. Salamence!" Shadow sent out his dragon.

Salamence roared and unleashed a flamethrower.

"Hold on!" Sonic exclaimed as he motioned for Tropius to do a barrel roll.

Because of having recently caught it, Tropius didn't react to that, merely taking a sharp turn to dodge, ejecting Ash.

"No!" Sonic reached out, grabbing Ash's hand.

Ash looked down and saw how high it was.

"Don't let go!"

"I got you!" Sonic assured him.

Salamence however had other ideas.

It struck at Tropius with a powerful dragon claw.

Part of the attack landed on Sonic's back.

He gasped in shock.

His grip loosened.

Ash fell.

"Noooo!" Sonic reached out in vain.

Flygon cried out and caught Ash mid-air before landing next to the group.

After Ash processed he was not falling he looked at Sonic.

"I'm ok! Get to the platform!"

Sonic nodded in relief and headed for the platform, getting Salamence's attention.

"Ash I'm coming with you!" Max declared before Flygon could take off.

"Alright. Hang on as tight as you can! Let's go save our friend Flygon!"

As they soared, the two observed Sonic doing his best to dodge Salamence's attacks and get to the platform, having called out Combusken to fire ember at it but it had little effect.

Looking down next, they watched in shock as the machine had been carving at the ground, creating a ground drawing of Groudon.

"Once the drawing is completed it will be awakened! We need to hurry!" Ash said, patting Flygon on the sides with his legs gently.

Butler thought the same thing.

"Just seconds from now, Groudon will return to life and prove that I was right!"

Flygon flew in front of him, with Ash and Max on its back, spotting Jirachi.

"Jirachi!" Max called out to it.

"Stop them!" Butler ordered Shadow.

Shadow saw them and had Salamence turn its attention to them only for Sonic to sneak closer.

Cursing, Shadow whistled and jumped on his Salamence as soon as it came close.

"What are you doing?! Stop them!"

"I got my hands full! Unless you want to deal with the hedgehog!"

Butler gritted and sent out a Salamence of his own.

Hopping on it he engaged in a dogfight with Ash and Flygon, soon joined by Sonic and Shadow.

The four engaged in an even more brutal dogfight, getting nowhere fast. The two Salamences were by far superior to Flygon and Tropius.

"What do we do?!" Max asked them.

"I have an idea!" Ash quickly replied "Sonic, keep Shadow away! Max and Pikachu you go free Jirachi! Flygon and I will distract Butler!"

"Got it! Let's go Tropius!"

Tropius turned right, with Shadow and his Salamence following.

Ash and Max turned around, easily getting Max and Pikachu on the platform.

"Stop that machine!"

He then turned towards Butler.

"I'm right here! Come get me!"

Meanwhile the dogfight between Sonic and Shadow was reaching its climax. Best move Tropius had was magical leaf and it barely hurt Salamence.

Shadow then cut off Sonic's flight path.

"End of the line".

"Heh. You fell for it again Shadow".

"What?"

"There are no rules here".

And with those words he jumped off.

"What the fuck?!" Shadow yelled as he witnessed Sonic falling.

Sonic fell parallel to a earth pillar.

"I got one shot at this".

Blue lightning crackled.

"Gotta go fast".

His legs touched the pillar.

The burst of speed sent out shockwaves across all directions as Sonic sped down the pillar.

By the time Shadow recovered from the shockwave, Sonic had run up another pillar and jumped off.

In slow motion, Shadow's eyes met Sonic's.

"Got you" Shadow read Sonic's lips.

The blue hedgehog turned into a ball, landing a devastating homing attack on Salamence and sending it plummeting to the ground with Shadow sprawling to the ground as well.

Before he could come get back up, Sonic was on top of him, using vines from the trees to tie him up quickly.

"You were right Shadow. It is the end of the line. For you".

Shadow wiggled to free himself to no avail.

He had failed. Sonic had actually captured him.

Back on the platform Max played his own part.

"Pikachu! Strike the machine with thunderbolt to free Jirachi!"

"Pika chuuuu!"

The machine was struck by thunderbolt and malfunctioned, sending Jirachi straight into Max's embrace.

The beam creating the Groudon fossil stopped as Ash landed on the platform.

"Good job guys get on!"

Max and Pikachu hopped on with Jirachi in tow. Flygon flew away.

Butler and Salamence let them escape with the former observing the complete Groudon drawing on the ground.

Ash and Max landed on the ground, thanking Flygon as it flew away.

"Max!" May called out as she and the others came up to them.

"We got Jirachi. It's ok" he assured May.

"Same with you?"

Max nodded. May pulled him in for a hug.

"I was really worried about you".

Sonic then joined the gathering on Tropius.

"Sonic" May said as he arrived.

"Did you escape from Shadow?" Brock asked in concern.

"Have no worries. Our enforcer here is heading for an early retirement" Sonic said with a smile as he pointed to the tied Shadow, tucked away behind him.

"Just wait until I get my hands on you you blue son of a…!"

"Yeah shut up now" Sonic taunted him before turning to the others again.

"Well I guess we win".

Diane was about to reply until her eyes bulged in fear and she stepped back.

May followed suit.

Then Brock.

Then Max.

And then Ash.

"Guys?"

Ash silently pointed out behind Sonic.

A rumbling was finally felt by Sonic.

"What…?" he muttered as he turned.

And then it was his turn to freeze in fear.

A gargantuan being was coming out of the ground.

Red, with blue markings on its back.

An underbelly made entirely of lava.

Spikes on the sides.

And a pair of yellow eyes with no pupils, devoid of any emotion.

"What in creation is this?!" Sonic fell off of Tropius, with Shadow also falling off.

The black hedgehog stared at the creature in a mixture of emotions.

Amazement.

Horror.

Awe.

Fear.

That was Butler's endgame.

And Shadow regretted helping him now.

"That thing is a monster!" he thought as he fought to free himself, so he could escape on Salamence, provided it could fly.

"The hugest pokemon I've ever seen!" Ash replied to Sonic.

Every step from Groudon caused them to shake in their shoes. The massive pokemon could easily squash them if it stepped on them.

"How do we stop the god of land?" Sonic asked for suggestions but no one had any.

They all then noticed a disturbing detail. With each step Groudon took, the nature around it withered until nothing but dead trees and dried land remained.

"The trees are all dying!" Brock accurately exclaimed.

"The earth! It's drawing energy from the earth! Oh Butler what have you done?!" Diane said in tears.

Shadow's Absol then raced past them, unleashing a slash towards Groudon.

The slash struck the god of land, but all it did was alert it to their location.

With a loud roar, Groudon pointed its claws towards Absol. The claws were then turned into dark green gooey tentacles, heading for Absol.

"Razor wind!" Shadow ordered Absol.

Razor wind came in contact with the tentacles. It wasn't just cancelled out but outright absorbed.

Keeping up the momentum, the tentacles wrapped around Absol and absorbed it entirely, leaving nothing behind.

"What the fuck?!" Shadow yelled in horror, trying his best to wiggle away.

Groudon let out another roar and the spikes on its sides extended outwards, turning into tentacles, absorbing all pokemom they came across and heading for the heroes.

"RUN!" Sonic screamed as they all made a break for it.

Sonic suddenly stopped.

Shadow was still tied up.

"Sonic what are you doing?!" Ash called out to him.

Sonic didn't answer, speeding to Shadow instead.

Grabbing a sharp rock, he cut Shadow's binds.

"Go, go, go!"

Shadow did go.

But first he shoved Sonic towards the tentacles.

"Noooo!" Ash screamed.

"Goodbye" Shadow menacingly said as he made a break for it.

Sonic sprawled to the ground before being absorbed by the tentacles.

"How could you?! He saved you!" Ash shouted at Shadow.

"Boohoo" Shadow mocked Ash.

Suddenly the tentacles were dispersed as Sonic broke free by spindashing.

"Go!" he shouted, ignoring Shadow who cursed at Sonic breaking free.

They all made a break for it, Shadow close by.

Shadow, still angry at his defeat, tried to cause Sonic to trip.

Sonic jumped over Shadow's leg.

And Shadow paid for the jerk move.

One tentacle caught up and grabbed him, absorbing him in an instant.

Sonic didn't even have the time to look back as they retreated to higher ground where Butler and his Salamence had landed, observing the monster he had created.

"Butler! Please tell me you got a plan to stop it!" Diane pleaded with her boyfriend.

"No" he shook his head "I got… nothing up my sleeve. No tricks left".

As they all watched helplessly Groudon continue destroying Forina, small bubbles could be seen inside it's underbelly.

Inside those bubbles were the wild pokemon.

The three idiots who had of course followed them.

Absol.

Shadow.

"They're trapped inside!" Ash said frantic.

"It's sucking up all the pokemon!" Brock added.

"We got to stop this thing! If it gets out of Forina it's goodbye Hoenn!" Sonic tried to rally the others.

Butler nearby, knelt in defeat.

"This wasn't supposed to happen. That's not Groudon. It's evil. It's pure evil!" Butler lamented.

Sonic was shaken by the similarities between Butler and himself from last night.

Both of their situations were truly results of allowing bullies to dictate their actions.

Butler was so absorbed by his self pity that he failed to notice the tentacle coming for him.

"Butler!" Diane pushed him to the side, getting captured instead.

"Diane!" Butler held onto her, refusing to let go.

"No Diane!" Ash reached out.

Butler felt his grip failing.

"My darling" Diane said tenderly, teary eyed "if this is the end… I love…" she said before the tentacle completely covered her.

Butler felt her hand slipping.

"No!" he whispered.

But before Diane's hand could be also absorbed, Sonic homing attacked the tentacle, severing it and freeing Diane.

As she fell to the ground coughing, Butler rushed to her side, looking Sonic in the eye with a mix of gratitude and question.

"You caused this situation by allowing yourself to be dictated by others. Only you can fix it now. So do it" Sonic said.

The connection between the two was paplable. Sonic was talking for both of them.

Butler nodded determined.

"I will. There is a way!"

"Sorry to ruin the bonding but it's coming for us now!" Ash warned them.

Butler and Diane flew away on Salamence. Ash and co tried to flee with Sonic.

May and Brock were caught by the tentacles and absorbed.

"No May!" Max shouted in sadness.

The tentacles then came for them next, grabbing them all.

Jirachi, unwilling to allow his friends to be absorbed used its power to teleport them away.

But it also attracted Groudon's attention.

As soon as they were safe on land, Butler and Diane approached on Salamence.

"Watch out! It's after Jirachi's energy!"

The tentacles came for them, but were repelled by Salamence's flamethrower.

Sonic looked around and saw the Flygon from earlier.

He whistled and turned to Ash.

"Hop on quick!"

With those words he called out his Tropius again and rode it.

Ash and Max also rode Flygon and soared.

Groudon immediately sent its tentacles after them. They were once again saved by Jirachi's teleport.

After reappearing they were joined by Butler and Sonic in the sky.

"Listen to me! I have a plan to stop the monster! If we can get Jirachi back to my machine and reverse the polarity, it will absorb the energy and erase Groudon!"

"I'm not sure I trust any plan of yours!"

"You have too!" Butler pleaded.

"Please Ash. He is telling the truth" Diane begged.

Butler shushed her.

"Your rival is right. It's my mistake. And it's not too late to fix it, no matter how bad the situation is. It's never too late!"

Ash crossed eyes with Sonic for a moment.

"Incoming!" Sonic screamed as a tentacle wrapped around Salamence, absorbing it.

Jirachi once again used its teleport ability, saving Salamence and helping it save the falling Butler and Diane.

As the three pairs of pokemon and riders hid behind an earth pillar, Sonic peeked at Groudon.

"We're never going to get past those tentacles. They're faster than flying pokemon".

"But we need to get Jirachi to my machine. It is the only way".

"Then we need a way to outrun the tentacles".

"We have one" Ash said looking at Sonic.

"Wha… me?"

"Yes. You're the only one who can get Jirachi to the machine for sure".

Sonic looked at the direction of the machine. He could indeed make the distance but it would be extremely difficult to dodge all the tentacles coming for him at once.

Butler read the hesitation.

"We will keep Groudon occupied. You make sure you get Jirachi to the machine!" Butler said before taking off, firing flamethrower towards Groudon.

Ash, Sonic and Max landed on top of the pillar so Max and Jirachi could wish each other luck.

"Put Pikachu on top of Max's head. Groudon will think its Jirachi and clear the path for us" Sonic suggested.

Ash nodded.

"Hey".

"Hm?"

"If we manage to stop Groudon… before Jirachi goes to sleep… what are you going to wish for?"

Sonic went silent.

"I don't know. I really don't. I still don't think there is any way to magically fix our situation without giving up something… any of the pokemon I've caught here… my friendship with Wally…"

Ash looked away.

"Did you even wonder if you could make a wish that would fix yourself instead?"

"Myself?"

"Yes yourself! You wonder how we got here well let me remind you! We got here, because you wouldn't accept that my pokemon can still grow strong even without having to face challenges like yours and without having to change who they are to achieve victory! Maybe if you had been able to see it we wouldn't be constantly arguing!"

Sonic shook his head.

"I made many mistakes but no. You're wrong. You say that without the required context, cause you have never faced someone like Giovanni. You could never understand the true value of power if you don't find yourself in a life or death situation".

"Ash we need to go!" Max called out to him while handing Sonic Jirachi.

"You better look out for my friend!"

Ash and Max then rode Flygon and joined Butler and Diane in keeping Groudon busy.

"Alright. Ready Jirachi?"

"Ready".

With his left arm wrapped around Jirachi, Sonic invoked his speed.

"Gotta go fast!"

A sonic boom indicated their departure.

"This is it!" Ash told Butler.

"HEY! COME GET ME YOU OVERSIZED LAVA TENTACOOL!" he then screamed at Groudon.

As predicted, the tentacles all headed for Ash. A hyper beam from Flygon and a flamethrower from Salamence repelled them.

Meanwhile a blue blur crossed the treeline, visible from above, heading fast for the machine.

"Butler we need to get there ourselves!"

"Let's go!"

Flygon and Salamence engaged in dangerous air tricks to dodge the tentacles, promising oblivion with one singular touch.

Thankfully, after passing by Groudon, it took the virus god of land a while to turn, allowing them to land on the machine as Sonic was now running towards the earth pillar.

Seeing him coming and hoping the platform would hold his weight along with Ash and Sonic's, Butler quickly set the machine to reverse the process.

As the machine parts moved into position, Butler and Ash had a moment of saving the case with the Groudon fossil from falling as without it, they were doomed.

"Everything's ready! Now we need Jirachi!"

The blue blur was now racing up the pillar.

The tentacles of course heading for him.

"We need to stall Groudon! Salamence go!"

"Flygon please help!"

The two dragons engaged Groudon but the behemoth was unstoppable. It plowed through, grabbing each dragon with a tentacle, assimilating them.

"Flygon no!" Ash cried out as held onto the ignition lever.

"Sonic get your butt over here!"

On que, Sonic dramatically jumped over the platform, fighting off one of the tentacles with a homing attack and landed on the platform putting Jirachi on the energy extractor.

"We're in business!" he called out to Ash.

"Jirachi it's up to you! Ready or not, here goes nothing!" Ash said to the mythical pokemon, pulling the lever.

The machine went off, sending the energy beam to the ground. The beam, unlike before began absorbing Groudon's energy.

The virus monster roared loudly appearing to be melting.

A tentacle tried to stop the process. Butler jumped in the way.

"Butler no!" Diane reached out.

"It's… ok… my love" he answered with a brave smile as he was assimilated.

As soon as it absorbed Butler, Groudon let out an ear piercing roar, as its form became physical again, no longer melting.

"I can't!" Jirachi cried out as it was still absorbing the energy "it's too much!"

"What?!" Ash looked at it before looking back towards Groudon.

Groudon roared again. Blue lightning crackled on its underbelly.

"What the… that looks like your power" Ash commented.

Sonic saw it too. And he gasped.

"What's wrong?!"

"Groudon is supercharged! My burst the other day at the show overcharged the fossil! Jirachi can't absorb that much power!"

"You mean we're doomed?! And it's your fault?!"

Groudon again roared and sent the tentacles after them.

Pikachu jumped in front of Ash.

"NO PIKACHU!"

"Pika…" was all Ash could hear as Pikachu was absorbed.

"NOOOOOO!"

Sonic felt despair creeping up on him.

This was his fault. His stupid need to make Shadow pay had caused this.

Before he could sink in self pity, he heard Jirachi scream.

"Jirachi?!" Max tried to approach it only to be hurt by the energy.

"I can't! I can't! I can't… hold on!" Jirachi screamed as its head ribbons glowed.

The glow grew stronger and several glowing orbs left the ribbons.

The orbs headed for Groudon.

"Could it be?" Diane wondered.

The orbs stood still around Groudon for a moment and then flew towards it, exploding on impact.

Groudon let out a roar, so loud, the wires holding on the platform snapped, sending it plummeting down.

The heroes held on for deal life as the platform landed on the ground roughly but upright.

They witnessed in disbelief as the Groudon was torn apart by the explosions, sending pieces of it everywhere.

Some of them landed in front of them.

Out of the liquid pieces came everyone assimilated by Groudon. May, Brock, the three idiots, Butler, Shadow and his Absol.

Max quickly removed Jirachi from the machine and joined Ash, Sonic and Diane in meeting up with their friends.

"Diane… what happened?" Butler asked her.

"Jirachi used its most powerful attack, doom desire, to stop Groudon after your machine couldn't destroy it".

"That's impossible. Why was it the case?"

"It's my fault" Sonic admitted "when I and this…"

He was shocked at Shadow's state. His eyes were frantically looking around in disbelief as if he couldn't process having been released from the body of Groudon.

And he was whispering. What he was whispering Sonic couldn't tell. It sounded like gibberish.

But it was clear as day he was terrified. The first time Sonic had ever seen Shadow truly terrified.

"This… guy crashed your performance and I ran circles around his Salamence, the energy burst I unleashed supercharged your fossil, making Jirachi unable to absorb it through the machine".

"But… Groudon was obliterated by doom desire… where did all the energy inside it go?"

They looked at Jirachi at the same time.

The mythical pokemon had opened its true eye again without anyone noticing and had been absorbing all the negative energy while distributing the positive energy to the earth.

"Jirachi, what are you doing?! You can't handle all that yourself!" Max pleaded for it to stop.

"I have to Max… I have to protect Forina!" it looked at Max in pain.

"This is bad" Butler said "the energy output you give off must be near infinity. With the speed and strength you've displayed this is the only explanation. And Jirachi is not accustomed to such levels of power!"

Jirachi suddenly screamed again as it head ribbons glowed.

"It's preparing another doom desire!" Diane identified the move.

"Everybody get away!" Sonic shouted.

They all tried to disperse except Max.

"Max… you need to get away!" Jirachi begged.

"No! I'm not leaving you!"

"I can't control it Max! Please! AAAAAHHH!" Jirachi was unable to hold on.

Doom desire was fired.

"NO MAX!" May screamed.

"Max get away from there!" Ash called out to him.

"No!"

"Max! I can survive this! Please!"

"I said no! I won't leave my best friend!"

The doom desire formed around them.

"MAAAAAX!"

"Jirachi stop!"

A bright glow illuminated the darkness.

Ash and the others turned and witnessed Sonic holding his complete wishing star high in the air.

The star had activated. And it was glowing.

The doom desire was cancelled out as Max and Jirachi were unscathed.

"Max!" May rushed in to hug him.

"What… happened?" Ash asked Brock.

"Sonic must have used his wish to stop Jirachi from hurting itself and critically hurting Max" Brock took a guess.

Ash gasped.

He turned to thank Sonic but what he saw enraged him.

Sonic was looking down. Tears were streaming down his cheeks and falling to the ground.

The star disintegrated in his raised left arm.

"Oh give me a break!" Ash yelled getting everyone's attention, including Shadow's.

"Just how pathetic can you get?! Lying and planning to manipulate me isn't enough for you?! Now you cry because you lost your chance to magically fix your life?! After all you were planning to do saving Max and Jirachi is the least you could have done!"

"Ash" Jirachi tried to talk to him.

"And even after everything, I believed you had some good in you! You helped us destroy Groudon and save Forina only to cry about losing out on your own gain! I may not have a wishing star but I wish Giovanni returns from exile and burns your home to the ground! You selfish, egomaniac…"

Sonic lifted his gaze off the ground and looked Ash straight in the eye.

What Ash saw scarred him for life.

Sonic's eyes were not filled with sadness.

It was fear.

Pure, crippling fear.

"Wha… what's going on?" Ash stuttered.

"I'm sorry…" Sonic said with a broken voice "I'm sorry Ash… for all of it…"

Jirachi also let out a tear as it couldn't hold on anymore.

The doom desire reappeared.

This time around Sonic.

Ash wasn't even fast enough to gasp.

The doom desire came down on Sonic.

The hedgehog was lifted off the ground due to the impact and then fell back down and collapsed. Not moving.

"What happened?" Brock rushed to the hedgehog's side, grabbing his wrist.

"B-Brock?" Ash stuttered.

Brock gritted his teeth.

"... No pulse".

Ash gasped.

This couldn't be.

How could it?

How had this even happened?

How was it even possible?

"What did you do Jirachi?!"

"I… I'm sorry. It was his wish" Jirachi said in sadness.

"His wish?!" Max repeated in shock.

"Yes…"

FLASHBACK

Sonic knew there was no other choice.

He quickly pulled out the wishing star and put the last piece in place in front of the comet.

"Jirachi stop!" he screamed, making his wish.

Jirachi did stop. Doom desire stopped. Everything stopped.

"What?" Sonic looked around as he realized time had stopped.

"I can't" Jirachi said.

"Jirachi?"

"I can't stop. I need to release the power. I can't grant your wish".

Sonic looked at the star.

"Then… do something else! Fire doom desire somewhere else! Anywhere away from you and Max!"

"I can't! The energy needs to return to the earth! And it can only do that through a living being!"

Sonic was shocked but it made sense. That was Jirachi's purpose in Forina with the comet. It was the same case here with different variables.

"Then… I wish that you teleport Max away!"

"I can't! I can't control my power until I let go of the energy!"

Sonic tried to approach Jirachi but he too was frozen in place.

This conversation was probably happening inside his head in the span of a moment.

"What are you saying then? That someone… someone has to die here?!"

"There is no other way! I can survive but Max…!"

"Then what good is this wish?!"

"You can… choose… where the energy goes!"

Sonic's eyes bulged.

"Wha… are you… are you telling me… I have to choose who dies?!"

"You activated the star. Now you must choose!"

Sonic would shake his head if he could.

This couldn't be.

No matter who he chose, he would be a murderer.

Just like Giovanni.

A dark thought then crossed his mind.

"Maybe… If I need to be a monster… Then at least I can take one out of the equation".

His eyes found Shadow.

"Jirachi use doom desire on…"

He stopped.

"Use doom desire on…"

Again he couldn't continue.

"On… on Sha…"

But he couldn't get the name out.

His entire being was screaming not to do it.

He had already chosen the wrong path when it came to Shadow. And this was where they had all gotten because of him.

"I… won't make this mistake again… as much as he deserves it…" Sonic thought.

"Jirachi… use doom desire… on me".

Jirachi was fully expecting Sonic to have it attack Shadow. The declaration took it by surprise.

"Just… please hold on for a few seconds… so I can apologize one last time…"

FLASHBACK ENDS

"He sacrificed himself to save Max. He had a choice. He could have chosen anyone of you to direct the energy to and instead offered himself" Jirachi said in an apologetic tone, guilty that the hedgehog had perished by its hand.

Ash fell back.

This wasn't true.

It had to be a lie.

After everything he had just said to Sonic… after wishing for his home to burn…

He scurried to the hedgehog's side, drowning in denial.

"Sonic?"

No reply.

"Sonic? Come on man… you're not dead".

Sonic's half opened empty eyes would haunt Ash for life.

"No… no… no, no, no! Come on! You have survived so much worse! This is nothing for you!" Ash pleaded as he shook the hedgehog.

But still nothing.

"You owe me a battle you idiot! You can't die on me now!" Ash screamed before bursting into sobs.

Everyone followed suit, each in their own pace.

It felt unreal. Sonic was gone. Truly gone.

The fallen hero of Kanto could have gone about this any other way that would ensure his survival and instead had performed the ultimate sacrifice play. Literally using his wishing star to ensure it happened.

And noone was more shaken by this than Shadow.

May had buried herself in Brock's embrace during this.

Something moved in her pocket as she did so.

She gasped.

"It's not over" she whispered pushing Brock away.

She took out her own wishing star and positioned it in front of the comet, putting the final piece in place.

Normally she would have forgotten. But she couldn't now.

She owed Sonic her brother's life.

"Jirachi!" shouted loudly causing everyone to turn to her.

"Bring him back!" she declared as the star glowed brightly.

Jirachi smiled and used its power as the star glowed brighter in May's hand.

Sonic groaned and then jolted awake.

"What?!" he exclaimed "am I dead?!"

"Not yet you're not" Butler informed him, moved by the actions of both Sonic and May.

As Sonic's eyes met May's he noticed the star in her hand.

That very same star disintegrated in May's hand the next moment.

"You…"

May nodded.

Sonic looked at his palms, the unreal feeling of gratefulness to be alive washing over him.

He could have never expected someone would save him after all that he had done.

Jirachi, now freed from the energy, began glowing.

"Jirachi?" Max looked at it.

"It's time. I must go".

Sonic looked to the sky.

The comet was leaving. Jirachi had to go to sleep now.

"I wish" Jirachi then expressed its own wish "I wish you could all sing that song for me".

"Song?" Sonic whispered to Brock as he stood up.

"I'll explain later" Brock replied.

"He wants to hear the lullaby" Ash said with a smile.

"We can all grant the wish for you Jirachi" May suggested.

"That would make me happy".

They all nodded and May motioned to Sonic.

"Me?"

"Of course".

Sonic met Ash's eyes.

The pallet town trainer looked away but nodded.

Sonic took a deep breath and joined them.

May sang the first few words, soon joined by Ash, Brock and Max.

Sonic was the last to join.

Although his singing voice wasn't the most pleasant to hear in his opinion, he did his best to follow along.

Jirachi closed its eyes.

"Thank you. Thank you all" he said as it slowly turned into the rock form it had when they first met it and slowly descended down to earth.

Max watched it go.

"Jirachi!" he tried to rush to it but Sonic's arm rested on his shoulder.

"It's ok" he said with a genuine smile.

Max, despite the emotional strain also smiled.

"It is".

Jirachi descended into the earth and disappeared.

The group then looked around as Jirachi now spread the rest of the energy in Forina at its own pace, looking like peaceful waves of light travelling through the ground, filling the young trainers with awe.

Butler and Diane watched it all unfold, utterly moved.

"Diane. I am so sorry. You were right all along. I should have never had to try to prove to anyone who I am. The only one I want to prove myself to is you".

Her palm rested on his cheek.

"And you have" she whispered as they shared a passionate kiss.

Sonic observed them for a moment with a smile on his face as well.

He then realized Shadow had escaped in the chaos.

Sonic contemplated initiating pursuit but he let it go.

He would still go after team Magma in Fallarbor town since he had come all this way.

But doing it to get to Shadow was no longer worth it.

Shadow was no longer worth it.

As morning came along, they all gathered back to Diane and Butler's van as the couple thanked them for everything and helping them, Butler in particular, see what was truly important.

He thanked Sonic specifically as it was his words after saving Diane from that tentacle that got Butler to see how empty seeking validation and revenge were.

The couple then offered them a ride which the group accepted but Sonic declined, stating he wanted to be alone for a few days, come to terms with all that happened, including his temporary death.

Butler asked him if he was going to find his way back ok as Forina was a long way from anywhere.

"You forget who you're talking to? I'm Sonic the hedgehog. I'll find my way. I truly will" he said while crossing eyes with Ash, who again looked away in what was clearly shame.

As he, Brock and Max rode the van, Max stopping for a moment as if he had heard something, Sonic asked for a moment with May.

The two walked a bit further away.

Once they were outside hearing radius Sonic pulled her in for a hug.

"Thank you. For saving my life".

"Hey stop. You don't need to thank me. It was the least I could do. You gave up your life for Max".

Sonic shook his head.

"If I hadn't overcharged the Groudon fossil, Jirachi would have been able to stop it on its own. And plus, my death would have been justified after everything I put you and the others through".

May tried to object but Sonic shushed her.

"I owe you a life debt now May. And I promise you, one day I will repay it. Anything you ever need, I will be there. All you have to do is call. Brock can find my number through my friends for you" Sonic told her, before turning around.

"See you around" he smiled at her before speeding away.

May watched him go.

Sonic sure had his shortcomings but in May's eyes, he was no longer a monster even after what she had seen in Wattson's gym.

Sonic was a hero haunted and scarred by his battles but still a hero, through and through.

She returned to the van and left with the others, wondering what was in store for them in regards to their next encounter with Sonic.

MEANWHILE

Far away, on jagged pass, Shadow presented the Magma Emblem to the detector, earning him access to the hideout.

As he made his way to the second door, his mind was racing.

He couldn't comprehend what had transpired. Failure to secure anything in this mission, be it the blueprints, or Jirachi didn't bother him in the least.

All his life he had been taught that power gave one control over the world. Power was the ultimate goal no matter its form.

And yet, in that moment Shadow had the least amount of control possible. None at all.

His life was in Sonic's hands in that moment.

Jirachi had literally said Sonic had a choice.

Sonic could have ended him right then and there. He could have had his revenge for everything Shadow had done to him and his friends in Green Hills.

And yet he had sacrificed himself for everyone. Shadow included.

And Shadow couldn't come to terms with that.

Sonic had all the power in the world -no, all the power in the universe - in that moment and yet chose to use it in the complete opposite way of the what Shadow was taught.

So what good was power? Was it worth fighting for? And if not, then what was?

He no longer knew what he fought for. Not that he did to begin with.

But now he would find out.

Getting through the second door, he violently shoved two grunts out of his way, heading for the common room.

Entering the common room, he saw him.

Maxie. Stretching on the sofa.

"There you are. Took you long enough. Where are the…"

His phrase was cut short after Shadow grabbed him and threw him to the ground, causing everyone to gasp.

"What the hell do you think you're…" Maxie tried to say only for Shadow to force his knee on Maxie's neck.

"I did your bidding for months with no questions asked! I risked my life for you time and again and never questioned your judgement! But this mission was the straw that broke the camerupt's back! I demand to know what the grand plan is this instant, or I will break your neck right here and now you fucker! And you know damn well I'm not above doing it!"

Maxie was surprised at Shadow's outburst but not terrified in the least.

"Alright. You win. Let me go and I will show you".

Shadow got off Maxie, who stood up, causally wiped some dirt of his shoulder and motioned for Shadow to follow him as he put his hands behind his back.

The two headed for the double door leaves that Shadow had been wanting to cross for so long.

As they walked down a small tunnel, Maxie spoke up.

"What took you so long to fulfill your mission?"

"Butler said he could offer us the power of a god. He used the mythical Jirachi to try and bring an ancient being called Groudon back from extinction".

Maxie's eyes flared.

"And did he do it?"

"Yes. He created it. A huge virus monster that absorbed everything around it".

Maxie scoffed.

"No he didn't".

"What?"

"He didn't create Groudon. What you describe is a corrupted version of the real thing. The real Groudon is truly perceived as the god of land, capable of creating land by raising it from the sea floor and bring forth sunlight with its mere presence".

"How could you know that?"

Maxie smiled as they exited the tunnel and into a gargantuan room with a lava pool.

And in that lava pool stood…

"Groudon!" Shadow stepped back in terror, horrified of being absorbed by that monster again.

"Calm yourself. It's not Groudon yet".

"Huh?" Shadow titled his head in confusion as he observed the towering behemoth.

Maxie was telling the truth. This Groudon was more like a rock statue, made out of magma and black ash.

"What… is this?"

"This is team Magma's grand plan" Maxie said with a passionate voice "this… is the king of Groudons".